Talloires Past Review

By Emily Shen (Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/15/2018 to 06/29/2018 with

Tufts European Center: Tufts in Talloires

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

I was able to practice my French and learn about French cooking and culture, go hiking in the Alps, learn about environmental economics and about Roman history. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The administration and staff were always very accessible and helpful.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Staying with a host family was a very enriching experience, and my host family really helped me feel comfortable in France.
* Food:	My host family provided meals, and my host mother attempted to make something new every day in order to help expose me to more French culture.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	People were very nice and welcoming, though many shopkeepers assumed that I didn't speak French at all.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	It was easily accessible and it is much easier to get medicine than it is the United States. Alternative medicine is a lot more accepted (used in conjunction with traditional medicine).
* Safety:	I never felt uncomfortable except when I went to visit Lyon, which is about 2 hours away from Annecy.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No The program is mostly Tufts students and as such the social experience within the program/classes is rough for those who do not come with friends

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)	I spent money mostly on fruit and restaurants.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Eating out is expensive

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	Living with a host family was the most exposure to French that I had. If you don't speak/aren't learning French they will likely place you with an English-speaking family
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Advanced
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 105A
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Go out into Annecy/Talloires and talk to the shopkeepers, your host family is the most available for speaking French

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	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?	Location (Hiking) Food Classes
* What could be improved?	Program social environment
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I didn't really think about the fact that it would be almost all Tufts students and that they might know each other before

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!