La Vie en Rose, en France .......that was seriously the only thing I could come up with Past Review
By Erin R (N/A, Illinois State University) for
L'Universite Catholique de l'Ouest / Catholic University of the West: Angers - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I think it was one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. I changed a lot for the better. My views on the world have expanded and I feel I am much more open to things.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
To be honest, I was shocked at first that I had to go to class 21 hours a week. I felt a little bit like i was in highschool. Once I started though I realized it would be challenging work that I would grow from. You do not have as much homework as you would in the states but you do need to study just as much. As for the grading system...I'm not too sure I understand it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
French food is delicious!! I miss it already and it is way better quality |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went on 4 trips with UCO and they are fantastic! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Angers, I never heard of anything happening but you still have to be careful no matter where you are. When traveling you have to be safe because there are plenty of pick pocketers. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about 80 euros if I wasn't traveling anywhere . |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan ahead! and when traveling look around for the best options. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 116 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived with a host family who spoke no English. I ate dinner with them every night so I had to speak french! At school I had a 3 other Americans in my class but everyone else were non english speakers so we communicated with French. |
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
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Obviously if the French lifestyle is something that interests you, then definitely do it! France is much more relaxed than the states and that was something I loved. They take everything in and enjoy each moment. If that sounds like something you would like than this is fit for you. |
