A Difficult Summary Past Review
By Robert E (Management & International Business, University of Hawaii - Manoa) for
NEOMA Business School: Reims - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My class was made up of about thirty people from all over the world, people from as close as Germany, or as far as China and Australia. In the beginning of the classes, we were all a bit awkward around each other. We were not entirely sure what to do, or what to avoid doing. But people are people wherever you go. The most of estranged of cultures are simply a layer or two on top of what makes a person a person, and tearing down the cultural divides and learning what it is to be human is how we grow. If this experience was meant primarily to be an educational one, the most important lesson I bring back is this: That a group of people from all over the world came together as a group. And within the short span of six months; ignoring differences in upbringing, beliefs, culture, and perspectives; we formed bonds close enough to draw tears at the parting of ways.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This, like our usual home institutions, varies widely depending on the teachers you are assigned. But I was given teachers from multiple cultures and perspectives, it was an enriching experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There is a lot to deal with in French bureaucracy, the school administrators in Reims were incredibly helpful in getting me through it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did not live with anyone, thus no language acquisition. But my housing (the RMS apartments) was affordable, clean, and spacious. |
| * Food: |
... it's France, the cafeteria fair was better on average than many of my meals in Hawaii. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I went all over Europe, met people from every corner of the globe, and experienced life as it was meant to be. If I had my way, it would not have ended. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt perfectly safe, but I am always aware of my surroundings, and I place valuables in pockets that are hard to get to. There is a lot of theft in Europe, and if you look like you are not paying attention, you will become a target. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
There was a French Language Course as a part of the program. I did need to learn some French to interact with shopkeepers and such, but most people at the university spoke passable or even excellent English. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Start Early. That's it. I turned in my first piece of paperwork 8 months before I left for France, and my last 1 month before my return. |
