Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Amazing Trip of Lifetime June 04, 2022

By (Marketing, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 03/14/2022 to 05/27/2022 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Paris and Normandy - French Business and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really learned that there are major differences between countries and that there is still so much more to discover.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The country was really nice, but the hotel that we stayed at was so rude and not a place that would stay at again.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They were nice in the beginning, but then they acted suspicious when my friend's rooms had gotten broken into and they were not helping us at all.

* Food:

I liked the food choices, but I did not want that we paid for our own food every single time except for breakfast.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We really integrated well with the local culture and were able to understand that Americans definitely act differently than French.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

You needed your vaccination card to get into the country which required 2 shots and the booster. To get back into the United States you need a negative covid test24 hours prior to departure.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would choose a different program to hopefully get a different experience with studying abroad and living in a different country.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $800
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up lots of money for food and different souveniers

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Practice saying hello and thank you in your host country's native language. It really goes a long way when you are at least trying to learn some of their languages.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked the freedom we got
  • I liked the activites
  • I oved the bonds I made
* What could be improved?
  • Better hotel
  • Not paying for my own meals
  • Not a jam-packed schedule
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I now know that you will probably need to save up as much money as I can because even if you are not a sender, you want little souvenirs to help you remember a trip of a lifetime.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.