Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There was not a lot of chance to work on speaking and conversation in class. I did not learn that much as classes consisted of teachers talking at us, which is counterproductive for students trying to learn a language. I learned more language skills spending time with the French outside of the classroom than actually attending classes. The program did not plan well for unavoidable absences. I could not get back to school for classes because of the Icelandic volcano, and the teachers would not accept any of the assignments that I was supposed to do late. I am not a fan of the grading system out of 20, as I think that the highest grade should actually be achievable.

On-site administration of your program

I had a problem with my host family and I contacted them via email, but they failed to respond to me. So I took care of the problem myself by moving out, but the next time I went to the office, I was yelled at for not doing it their way. This really irked me as I had tried going through the office, but they failed to respond, leaving me to deal with things by myself. There is a lot of nepotism concerning where the offices place students. There is a lady in charge who keeps on placing students in situations that other students had already complained about. They don't care whether a place is good for a student, she just places them with people that she is friends with. One example is that a few students have been placed with a women who lives in a housing project. She is not supposed to receive students, and numerous students moved out just in this academic year alone. Also, a lot of students had moved out of my host family because of the family and they keep on receiving students as well.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family situation was not desirable. They were not nice people and they did not give me the conditions that I paid for. They did not feed the students well, and our diet consisted mainly of potatoes, cheese, bread, which made for a very bland and malnourishing meals and I was treated like an idiot because I speak English, and they made me feel uncomfortable everywhere in the house. They treated the other students (both French and International) poorly, insulting them and making them cry. They were also very rude to my friends. I tried to make it work, but it became unbearable toward the end and I moved out because I could not deal with them anymore. I moved on to my friends couch until a French family helped me out, giving me a bed for the last few weeks of my stay.

The food of Dijon was delicious, but the food that I was given at my host family was unacceptable. The restaurants that I really enjoyed were Les Moulins Bleus (for crepes) on rue de Musette, and Les Moules Zola (for mussels) which is located on Place Emile Zola

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I really enjoyed the people I met. There were a few excursions sponsored by the CIEF and they were hectic, but very educational and fun. The city of Dijon had a fantastic jazz fest. And my friends and I spent the most of our time at bars or having pic-nics in the numerous parks around Dijon

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Dijon is the safest city I have ever lived. It is not a problem to walk around the city at night, no matter what time.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Speak with everyone you can, go to bars and be open to conversing with the random people you meet and the people you know in the language that you are learning. Make friends with locals and native speakers and use their knowledge to aid you in your learning.

Select all that apply

• Other
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• International Students