Semester study abroad at Universite Jean Moulin Lyon III Past Review
By David F (Foreign Languages, New Mexico State University) for
University of Jean Moulin - Lyon III - Lyon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It could not have been better. Even though there are certain things I could have wished for while there, I am 100% content with my year abroad and would not change anything; it's only left me with more of a desire to do other things and have new experiences.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Teaching methods are very different from what Americans are used to. In most lecture classes, students do nothing but take notes. No interaction, no textbooks, no guidance. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The coordinator for American students was great, as were most other office personnel. However, the main administrator was often unreachable during her posted office hours, even when students were required to go by and have something done. This was often an inconvenience and many students were bothered by it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a fully-furnished apartment with two non-French flatmates. This went well, and I recommend flat-sharing as an alternative to student residences, but be prepared to adjust to other people's living styles. |
| * Food: |
Food on a whole is expensive compared to much of the United States. The university, however, has very low-cost dining services for students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I did not attend any university-sponsored social activities. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Healthcare was easy and accessible. |
| 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? | Prepare a budget, and try and stick to it. I didn't have many unexpected expenses; but I believe there can be more expenses for students renting apartments in student residences. |
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? |
My language skills developed tremendously, but mostly as a result of interaction with French people. The language classes offered to exchange students were of high quality, but only met once a week for two hours, which is nowhere near enough for those who truly want to advance as much as possible in the language. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program really works well for all student types; it's easy to meet fellow students if you're less independent, but being right in a big city makes it easy to do your own thing if that's what you prefer. |
