I don't wanna leave! Past Review
By Tori S (Truman State University) - abroad from 02/02/2015 to 06/06/2015 with
L'Universite Catholique de l'Ouest / Catholic University of the West: Angers - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My comprehension of french improved a ton. But my french overall saw a lot of improvement also. I got really close to a family (who's not my host family) and have great memories and friendships with them. You learn a lot overall.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Lots of confusion with the administration at CIDEF and Truman study abroad office. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was highly satisfied with my host family, but be careful there are host families that will try to charge you for everything. Meals are normal but some other families are really strict. Also some other people may have a poor location. I was a 15-20 min walk to everything so it wasn't a problem but others have 30 min + bus rides to the university. |
| * Food: |
this just depends on the person. Haven't had a problem with any of the food whether in the city, my host parents meals, or the university. Sodexo is the provider for the university. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel very integrated, but you really have to try hard to get out there and meet locals. Don't fall into hanging out with only people who speak your language. you have to try to reach out either through university events or at social events in the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Lot of confusion with the health insurance and what the students were expected to do. I haven't had any major health problems while here. Allergies may be an issue for some people even if you dont get them often. I got them pretty bad here so you may want to pack allergy medication. |
| * Safety: |
Just be smart. Angers is a generally safe place. Avoid the exterior of the train station unless you need to be there. Better to walk around it. There are some sketchy and strange people. I kept pepper spray with me the entire time. I wouldn't advise walking alone at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
$45 a week will get you enough groceries for a weel maybe week and half. Restaurants are expensive 25 euros a person on average I'd say. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60-150 usd |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to large grocers, they are cheaper. If you are going to consume alcohol much much cheaper to buy at the store. I would opt out of eating with your host family most nights its 6€ on average for a meal and you can buy and make your own food for less. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Truman pays for all the excursions. But also be forwarned you are paying a lot more by paying trumans tuition then the programs actual cost ( if you pay anhwhere around 5 grand or more). The Canadian who lived with me payed for everything direct and not through her home university and it is around 4 grand for tuition, housing, excursions, and insurance. All the things that truman covered. She lives in t he same host family as me so all of the figures would be the same for us. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
