Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Semester of my Life! Past Review

By (SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 05/19/2012 with

SUNY Geneseo: Montpellier - Universite Paul Valery - Montpellier III

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Worthwhile!

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.

The classes were much less work than what I was used to.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very distant, not very helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Home stay was amazing!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Home stay really helped with this.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No problems

* Safety:

You live in a city, just use your common sense and everything was fine.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget!

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 302
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Speak with your professors, your host family, etc

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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 can't even begin to describe, the cultural experience was great and I learned so much about myself.
* What could be improved?
  • Administration at Montpellier.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? European men can be pushy, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself but have fun.