Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Magical Realism in the Alps Past Review

By (sterris10, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/14/2014 to 06/27/2014 with

Tufts European Center: Tufts in Talloires

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Entirely worthwhile. Learned a lot about French and European culture in a really experiential and lasting way. Made some excellent friends... even meeting up with the host family when they come to NYC in a few weeks. I would do it again 100 times over.

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.

Challenging, but very engaging courses. Led by top-tier Tufts professors

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Organized, very hands-on but they do not keep the students on a leash. Offer/orchestrate some great group excursions and activities

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Amazing host family, great location. Couldn't have asked for better living arrangements

* Food:

Very good, the family cooked some stupendous meals. However, eating anywhere aside from home was expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If it weren't for our host brothers, this would've been difficult. We were fortunate to have Hector bring us around

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

never had any problems

* Safety:

Annecy/Talloires is outrageously safe.

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)

possible to live on a low budget if you don't go out/eat out, but if you want to take advantage of the night life and explore, it can add up pretty quickly.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 60-70 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? eat dinner at home

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

  • Americans
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?
  • host family
  • the professors
  • scenery
* What could be improved?
  • two more weeks, a little less class per day
  • field trips on friday instead of wednesday
  • more weekend trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? definitely better to live in annecy or annecy le-vieux than the other neighborhoods.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.