Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was okay. Past Review

By (University of Vermont) - abroad from 01/18/2019 to 05/11/2019 with

ISEP Exchange: Montpellier - Exchange Program at Université Paul Valéry (Montpellier III)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I don't want to live in France.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I liked my professors and enjoyed all my courses. None of them were rigorous compared to classes in the US. I recommend taking the RI courses which are made for international students. I found those to be more organized and informative.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The two administrators, Andrée and Judith, were not very welcoming or nice. They lack kindness and empathy and will get angry and make a big deal out of little problems. I forgot to copy one sheet of paper for them, and Andrée gave me a 5 minute lecture on how now they have to use a sheet of paper and blah blah blah. If you're feeling homesick, don't bother going to them for support because all they will say is "that's normal." They were by far the rudest and meanest people I met during my time abroad. I don't know how they still have their jobs.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I didn't have a choice with my housing. I had to live in a Cité Universitaire, which is the equivalent to dorms in the US. French dorms lack the social aspect that US dorms have. I lived in a single and felt very isolated at times. I also didn't get to speak as much french as I would have in a host family.

* Food:

It was nice having a food stipend. I normally would buy groceries and make food in the communal kitchens in my dorm, because the dorms are so far from downtown where all the restaurants are.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't feel very integrated. French students aren't very outgoing, so I just ended up hanging out with other Americans. The program didn't hold any events or gatherings for us to meet other students, so it was definitely difficult to make friends. I even signed up for their buddy program, but I never received a buddy.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would choose a program that gave me more housing options and that had nicer advisors at the host university.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Sharing struggles with the french culture with other Americans.
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Advising at host university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how mean and unhelpful the advisors would be and how nice it would have been to be in a host family.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!