An incredible year in France! Past Review
By A student (Economics And French, University of New Mexico) - abroad from 09/06/2011 to 05/15/2012 with
La Rochelle Business School: La Rochelle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a new language, I met countless incredible people, ate the most lovely foods! It was certainly worthwhile! Next time I would pick another program at a different school or just simply find an internship somewhere in France.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Only classes at Sup de Co |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I later organized my own housing without help of the school. |
| * Food: |
French food is lovely! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I took advantage of my situation and talked to people on the streets in the city La Rochelle. I learned to speak French solely from this sort of contact with people. I also lived with French people and so in this manner I really feel integrated and accepted into the French culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care was a huge mess. |
| * Safety: |
The city is very safe! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
France is a very expensive country! |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 400 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking at home, using the site covoiturage instead of trains to travel and biking instead of taking public transport! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Three years ago I took a semester of elementary French course at UNM |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I did not participate in classes or courses to learn the language, I am a big believer of just exposing one's self to the language by going out and talking to people. That is what makes any exchange experience really worth it! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | I wish I had known that the school would offer nothing to me in an educational manner and that everything would be complicated and disorganized as far as the school was involved. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
