A Journey in Personal Growth Past Review
By Nathanael Grimes (Arkansas State University) - abroad from 09/04/2018 to 01/11/2019 with
Université de Cergy-Pontoise: Cergy-Pontoise - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned how to navigate a new city and a new country on my own through the lens of public transportation, as I have only ever really been used to traveling by car in the context of American roads and regulations. I learned more about the French language and culture. It was most 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. |
During my study abroad, I took three classes: French, British History, and European Art History. All of them provided me with exceptional learning opportunities, and each definitely left me with a much better knowledge of their respective subjects. The professors were exceptional. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were always helpful with every question that I came to them with. There were multiple times when I didn't know how to go about doing something, and the administration took the time to personally help me. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very satisfied. I lived in a one bedroom apartment in student housing. It had everything that I needed and was conveniently located right beside the train station. It had adequate storage for everything and all of the facilities functioned perfectly. |
* Food: |
I never had any problem obtaining food for myself at the local supermarket, Auchan, and there was always a good variety. When I would eat out either in Cergy or Paris, the food was always delicious. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with the local culture, because I was lucky enough to have been put into contact with one of the locals before I arrived, and after I arrived I met many more, so I always felt like I was part of the university and the city. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never actually had to go to a pharmacy or a doctor, I was just lucky enough to never have need of one, so I can't comment on that aspect, though the program did provide me with a list of local English speaking doctors to whom I could go if I ever needed assistance. The one thing I didn't realize was how long of a process it was to apply for healthcare, and I did not find out until some time into the program. So, I would want future students to be aware of all aspects of it, including all the necessary dates, steps, and fees, before the program began. |
* Safety: |
I always felt safe in Cergy, and there were never any incidents that made me feel otherwise. I never found myself worrying about whether anything was going to happen to me. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
While I had a wonderful time, now that I have grown so much as a person and know how to navigate and function in that different environment, if I were to do it again I would be able to do more, travel more, and connect more than I was able to when I had to take the time to become accustomed to the environment. |
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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe $50-$70 per week on daily needs. Unfortunately I'm not sure. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have it in your mind you're going on this lengthy trip in a relatively short amount of time, and plan you're pre-departure purposes accordingly. |
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 |
Part of the program was a mandatory French course, so I was using the language weekly. |
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | The second intermediate course offered by my host institution. |
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? | Find a language learning app or, if you can, someone who speaks the language, and just do your best to practice daily. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known how useful having a French banking account would be before I went on the program, so I would have set one up much earlier. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
British History (1918-present) |
Course Department: | History |
Instructor: | Mme Marshall |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | The course was very challenging, but also very rewarding. I admit that I did not have that much prior knowledge of modern British history, besides a few names and a general idea of how they fit into the past century. That all changed after I took Mme Marshall's class, and I can now say that I have a firm and well-rounded knowledge of the period. The professor was certainly well prepared and extremely knowledgable about the course material. I was assessed through exams and an oral presentation, and I think that I participated to at the same level as I would have at my home university. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | I had no such difficulties. |
Course Name/Rating: |
Interpreting Places |
Course Department: | |
Instructor: | Mme. Arrizabalaga/Mme Escartin |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | The course was very challenging, as it concerned a concept that I had never encountered before, but I think that it was all the more rewarding for that. The professors were both knowledgable and well prepared, and I was assessed through a presentation and exams. I would definitely take the course again, and hope that I will be able to use the skills I learned in my future career. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | I had no such issues. |