Biggest life changing experience of my life! Past Review
By Angela R (Political Science And International Studies, San Jose State University) - abroad from 01/06/2012 to 05/25/2012 with
Sciences Po Lille: Lille - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained the knowledge that you have to be okay with not know what could happen day to day. You have to be flexible with just getting up and going. The experience was the best thing I've done so far in my life, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
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 courses weren't too intense. In fact, many of the english classes were only 2 weeks for the entire semester. There are a lot of visiting professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
While the Program administration is very helpful they are scattered and sometimes unavailable. Many times their attitude is 'we'll get to it..eventually' |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There are no dorms because the campus is so small, you are left to find housing on your own. However, many students are helpful in getting the students together to find housing. There are many places to rent in the city of Lille but it does take some searching. |
| * Food: |
The restaurants are a little pricey on a student budget. But you can find many 'ethnic' shops with relatively decent prices and options. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The younger people of the country really embrace the foreign students who come to the city. There is also a huge nightlife (bars mostly) for many students to go to. But I did find that if you dont speak french and are from the West, mostly the U.S., you will face a little bit of difficulty. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to buy European health insurance (It's a requirement) but I didn't have any health issues that needed to be addressed |
| * Safety: |
Like most major cities there are places to avoid. During the day you can walk relativity safely around the city of Lille, but there are places to not go to at night. Mainly Rue Solferino and Fives. Definitely walk in a group or at least with another person. If you're a girl, it would be better to walk with another guy at night because you might be harassed. If you are a guy, beware that in the popular places people might try to pick fights with/rob you. |
| 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) |
There are some things that are expensive, like food and decent housing (not in a dangerous area & with working internet) But if you budget accordingly there shouldn't be a problem. |
| * 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? | $50-80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Walk to as many places you can instead of taking the metro. Many times places aren't as far as they seem. While trains are cheap, euro buses are some times even more cost effective. But they do take longer than traveling by train. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish. No French. |
| 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? | Take a basic language book, get in touch with other students who speak the local language and try to practice. |
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? | Being able to speak the local language is a huge advantage. I also wish I had known how cold the weather was going to be in the spring semester. |
