FranceLang in Nice is a terrible school Past Review
By Isaac P (Communication Studies, French, Spanish, New Mexico State University) for
NRCSA: Nice - French Language Institute
Studying in France provided me with several experiences, some blindsided me and some just came over time. I developed a quick disgust for how many overweight people the USA has and how uncultured we can be. I learned much about myself. I learned how to seize the day all over again and have some fun. I learned that I can appreciate art and that I am a lot more interested in History than I first would have thought. Being able to communicate with more people is an opportunity unlike anything else. We all really have a lot more in common they we do have in difference.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
FranceLang in Nice is a terrible school. Don't go there. I loved the south of France and actually prefer it to the North. I believe that FranceLang Paris was by far a better school than Nice. I don't believe that any of the administrators or teachers really cared about my progress. I was tossed into a class that was too advanced for me even after this was demonstrated in a placement tests after ever week. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It did not seem that there was any planning involved for instruction. I believe I had a weak teacher and she could not control the classroom, which was filled with globetrotters. The setting was more social and that is a plus, however, when it came to actually learning french I just wish they provided more guidance on where to start after the placement test. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was more helpful that my school. |
| * Food: |
It took a while to get use to their nutrition which is smaller than what I was use to in the USA. I would recommend that you have dinner provided by the hose family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is imposible to go bored in France. There are tons of museums. I spent my time at the beach in the south of France and in the Museums in Paris. Research what is going on for the French. For example, I was there during their celebration of the 3rd Republic and the France Vs Ireland Soccer Game. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was not worried about my health or safety. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I used American Banking Services which limited a lot of what I could do. For example, I was charged a lot to withdraw money and hand minimum purchase amounts in many of the boulangeries that I went to. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I believe that my language skills improved in Paris after I left the language school in Nice. |
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Brush up on your French before you go and prepare to study after school if you want to get the most out of your program. |
