The authentic French study-abroad experience! Past Review
By Marcie D (Marketing., Bentley University) - abroad from 01/04/2013 to 06/08/2013 with
NEOMA Business School: Rouen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained a lot of appreciation for the United States and my home university. I also was able to travel a lot, which was so enriching and fun.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were not challenging and we were presented very basic material. Other students were not engaged. There were very little resources made available to students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration was very outdated. There was not a lot of guidance as to how to accomplish things on and off campus.After the first two days (which included maybe a 2 hour orientation) we were left to ourselves to figure things out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was small, ugly, in a terrible location. It would have been much better off in the city to be immersed in the culture. The only good thing about it was that it was close to the school and with other international students. |
| * Food: |
no meal program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living in Rouen/Mont-Saint-Aignan there is really no way to not be integrated, as most everyone but the 150 international students are french, speak french and do french things! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was no information given to us on what to do if we were sick. |
| * Safety: |
Towards the end of my time here, there were several occasions of students being mugged... not in Rouen, but in Mont-Saint Aignan. |
| 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) |
It was very easy! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | including traveling, probably 200-300 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy the 12-25 rail pass, make your own food, eat at the cafeteria on campus (it's cheap) |
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 |
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| 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? | high school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Honestly, you aren't going to learn until you practice and hear people speaking it. There is very little that will help until you get here and just practice with people! |
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?
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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? | I wish I knew more about French people, as I didn't realize, until I was here, that they are a very private culture. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
