It was 'Nice' Past Review
By Thomas Ratcliff (Millsaps College) - abroad from 05/23/2016 to 06/26/2016 with
Millsaps College: Summer 2016 Faculty-led Programs
It was worthwhile. I learned how to comprehend other people speaking French and how to formulate sentences quickly and accurately in another language.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The experience proved to be an excellent opportunity to practice speaking, writing, and comprehending the French language while also providing me with ample time to experience the culture and network among students, faculty, and citizens. |
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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? |
My host family was very kind to me. We engaged in conversations that lasted much later than dinner. |
| * Food: |
Are you kidding me? Unbelievable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like an outsider but I didn't feel isolated or lost in translation. I met many people outside of my school and my host house that were friendly and fun to talk with. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would like to see my host family again and I never got to go to Italy because the trains stations were always on strike. |
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) |
My host family provided me with dinner every night and a sandwich for lunch from the Monoprix was about 6 euros a day. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30-$60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to by shots for people at the bar ;) |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I have spoke French with several people since my return to the U.S. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 1010 |
| 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 studied on the plane. |
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? | The amount of French that I received from the experience itself. |
