The crazy French Past Review

By (Illinois State University) for

L'Universite Catholique de l'Ouest / Catholic University of the West: Angers - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I learned a lot about European culture and it's very eye opening

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We got lunch with the director once a week which helped to clear up any questions that we may have had, but the office was very easy to contact.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

My host mom was an amazing cook. The restaurant food was a little expensive but good as well

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We had excursions that we would go on to visit parts of France around us that were very interesting and historically important

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It could be kind of scary at night, especially going alone, and I heard some things happen to other people, but I always stayed fine. And I never got sick there but I heard it was very difficult to seek health help

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Everyone, most people spoke French except for the foreign exchange students in which I would speak English with.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you want to do something, don't let anything hold you back whether it be traveling alone or missing your family. You're there to gain an experience and you'll be happier about it in the end.