France: beautiful country, great location, and difficult bureaucracy. Past Review
By steven m (HISTORY., New Mexico State University) for
University of Jean Moulin - Lyon III - Lyon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It truly is difficult to say how it changed me, because I wouldn't say that I have changed in any profound way. I am just simply more aware of different modes of thinking, and different ways to go about ones day. I would say I have only changed in little way e.g. I will probably take more pleasure and time out of some of my future meals (that is how the French do it). Mostly I am just great full to have met so many people from different nationalities, not because it changed the way I perceived the world (I can't say that it has), but it is a special thing being able to find common ground, and have bonding experiences with someone of a different nationality.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The the system at my home university was more or less unorganized. My classes were all held at inconvenient hours: 5-8 at night, this was difficult considering that my housing was almost an hour away (I didn't eat dinner till 9, and this gave me no time to do any sort of activities in the city as the last bus going to my housing was at 9). Furthermore is is very difficult to focus on a lecture for three or four straight hours. Some of the professors did an excellent job, and I rather enjoyed the class, others frequently cancelled class, and did not present the information in an oriented manor. In our system for each class you are given a detailed schedule of the class, what information will be covered, date of the final, and etc. This was non-existent in France. Plus, in general, information on what the final exam would cover was fairly vague, and the information that was demanded of the students for most of the finals was sometimes irrelevant, trivial knowledge that came from the course. For example, in one of my french classes the professor informed us one day that next week we would have a test on prepositions, and that the exam would cover the same subject area as our homework. In reality not a single question was related to prepositions in any way, with the exception of one, which asked "what is the definition of a preposition." It seemed that grading was not done in a constructive way with a consistent method, rather it was done on a whim, and there were few standards given on the criteria for obtaining a good grade. Though this did not happen to me, one of my friends classes was given a less than 24 hours notice via email that the final exam would take place the following day. The work load was moderate. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were not enough classes for students. Though I had no problems, most students were kicked out of the classes that they originally signed up for. I am not sure why, but apparently the program decided to lessen the number of courses given this semester while simultaneously taking in a record number of students that was the largest enrollment that they had ever had. I am rather critical in my review (as the system is not well organized compared to the systems in American, Canada, or the UK), but one aspect that I found to be positive is that the administration staff did care deeply for students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in a charming house in the country, and with a lovely family and two other students they were hosting. The took great care of me, and fed me well. They only down side was that the commute was long for me, and public transportation linking us to the city closed at 9 pm, this restricted my ability to partake in many social events. |
| * Food: |
I never ate at the university, and rarely in the restaurants so that I could save money. I just ate with my host family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
oh there were so many. Noveau Boujoulais being one. Les fetes de Lumiere is another. Social life in Lyon France was very fun. Vieux Lyon is a wonderful part of the city, and the area near Hotel de Ville is beautiful. Also Parc de le tete is gorgeous as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It is a very safe city. Except sometimes late a night girls are harassed by men; women just need to look down, make no eye contact, say NOTHING, and keep walking. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is common sense really, nothing specific to this country I would say. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used the native language on a daily basis. I practiced with my host family. The language course was not useful. I learned more french in my classes back in america, and practicing with my host family then I did with the course. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* 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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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? | One must be oriented to deal with administration and the bureaucracy. Some one who is studying French as a second language would benefit, that is if they stay with a host family. |
