Past Review
By Lisette U (Linguistics., SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY New Paltz: Besancon - Study Abroad at Université de Franche Comte
Yes. Being on my own, I learned much more about myself. Studying abroad put things into perspective for me, in regard to whats important and what I want in life. You become independent and experience things you wouldn't at home.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall educational experience depends on the individual. Not as much work is assigned as in the States but you are expected to read on your own. If you take initiative, you will get a lot out of the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in student housing but all rooms were single person rooms instead of doubles or suites. You don't see a lot of what you typically see in American dorms (doors open, loud music, people running around the hall way, etc.). <br /><br /> The basics like bedding/sheets are provided but you need to buy cookware, toiletries, an extra blanket and other little things like cleaning supplies. The dorm is about 15 minutes away from the institution but there is public transportation (each month you buy a bus pass and you can use it an unlimited amount of times in a day). Getting around is easy. |
| * Food: |
Still ate like a college student. Your satisfaction depends on what you make or where you decide to eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You get back what you make out of the experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safe city/ friendly environment. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I lived cheaply like a college student to save my money for future traveling. The program coordinator gives you a monthly allowance that is enough for the bus pass and essential food items for each week if you don't spend it on other things. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You receive the monthly allowance and are left to spend it however you prefer, but I would suggest dividing the money and buy food each week. Save any extra money for other things like toiletries of leisure activities. If you want to travel you MUST bring extra money with you or save up. Even though traveling throughout Europe is much cheaper than going from the States to each individual country, it still adds up when you travel. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
After studying a foreign language in your home country for so long you learn the basics very well but eventually you reach a plateau. I felt I wasn't getting any better and was just seeing the same things over and over again, even though I kept taking higher level courses. Studying abroad helped me surpass that level because I wasn't only being taught differently but I was forced to interact with natives at all times and even become familiar with the everyday non-formal/slang French that is not taught by textbooks. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Take advantage of all the free student events around the city, for example, many museums are free of charge for students on Sundays. Learn about the city's history because it is a very interesting one, and see all the sights (visit la Citadelle!). Interact with as many locals as possible. The type of student that would benefit the most from this program is someone who prefers a more traditional,green, medieval setting over going to a touristic city. It's a much more relaxed environment, but you can still go out and have fun every night. |
Comments
"Learn a new language, get a new soul."
Lis April 23, 2010
