Montpellier Past Review

By (SUNY - Buffalo) - abroad from 09/01/2012 to 12/23/2012 with

SUNY Geneseo: Montpellier - Universite Paul Valery - Montpellier III

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
language skills, independence, rethinking life. Yes.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were not super hard, but they were what I was looking for in terms of full French immersion. I was not a huge fan of the RI courses offered just for international students, but I suppose 1 or 2 of them are good for adjusting initially.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family and it was what made my study abroad program absolutely fantastic.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I wish I had more of an effort at the very beginning or was staying for a longer period. But nevertheless once I made an effort to get involved with local clubs and talk with people there, people were very welcoming.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50?

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? 300 level
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The host family
  • Integrated classes
  • the city of Montpellier
* What could be improved?
  • More advice with classes
  • The international student courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I can't possibly read 2 french books a week and should choose classes accordingly.