Angers, France: An experience I'll never forget Past Review

By Mischa Z (Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth 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?

My language speaking skills grew 100000%. After going to Angers, I feel like I can move anywhere and I wiould be able to take care of myself. You learn a new sense of independence and responsibility. The people you will meet with challenge and test your mind in the healthiest way possible. You will come back a changed person!

Review Photos

Catholic University of the West: Angers - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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.	Some teachers were better than others, of course, but overall, most liked their jobs and were very much interested in teaching the french language to students. Some teachers were actual french students, which was great because they were closer to our age group and could connect with us on a different level.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	There wasn't a lot of communication between the study abroad student and the program provider. The first couple of days in the country were very overwhelming without anyone there to guide you. The program provider does have contact with the university, but there are so many programs and colleges the university deals with, it is impossible to get an answer. The only way to communicate with your program provider while in the study abroad country was through email or if they called you.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The apartment I resided in was the home of a woman and her cat. I'm allergic to cats which was a problem on its own. The place was situated in a great location: close to the university and right on the main street in Angers. I didn't really connect much with my host mom, but I knew many other students who had great friendships with their host families.
* Food:	I ate out most of the time, or cooked simple recipes in the apartment whenever the stove wasn't being used. There's a lot of fast food on Bressigny like chinese food, burger joints, and baguettes!!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	No matter what inconveniences I may have had, the experience in Angers was one of the best in my life! The university there is somewhat small and you are able to meet so many different kinds of people there. The friends I made and the experiences we had together are all irreplaceable!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I was sick the first couple of weeks arriving in France because I was not used to the cold. I had over the counter medicine from home which very slowly helped my body strengthen up a bit. I had heard going to the doctor there was a burden in itself especially for an international student so I never bothered to go. Angers is a relatively safe city, but I would be cautious at night. I had scary encounters with the drunks of the city, as well as my friend who even got hurt one night by one of them. Stay in groups and carry pepper spray if you have it!!
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?	No one spoke English. All the teachers were french so all classes were taught in french. This was tricky at first, especially for the low level speakers, but it made such a difference to your growth in the language!