Awesome way to spend a semester abroad Past Review
By Cole P (Finance, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 09/09/2014 to 11/28/2014 with
University of Limoges: Limoges - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Absolutely worthwhile. I learned so much about the French culture and even myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was a very interesting international curriculum that involved a lot of collaboration between the French and American students. Courses taught in English by professors who were genuinely excited to be a part of the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program head is great guy. He was constantly concerned with our welfare and tried to help enrich our experience any way he could. He was pretty fun to be around as well, which was good since he took us to lunch upon arrival and out to the bars on our last day of the program. The only bad part about the administration is that they weren't always organized. But this can be attributed to the culture and being a first year program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
They are smaller dorm rooms than in the US but after adjusting to the size difference, they are great. You get a desk, full bathroom, and significant storage space. The bed lowers from the ceiling so you get extra space during the daytime. |
| * Food: |
At the school, the food is your typical cafeteria experience. The saving grace is the price. About 2 euros for more than you can eat. You can head into town whenever you want to eat. Thankfully, there is a good hamburger place and even burrito place to keep you from missing american food too much. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This was one of the best parts of the program because the class was so small, you really get to know each of the french students in your class really well. This is definitely the point that stuck out as being much better than my previous abroad experience. I took off half a star because it is hard to practice french all of the time because the french students in the program speak English much better than I can speak French. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Thankfully didn't get sick but there is a hospital about 2 blocks away from the school. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe, even when being out late at night. Never saw anything or heard of anything happening either. |
| 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) |
You can live as cheaply as you want ex. in dorms kitchen, cheap cafeteria.... |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We had a French course but did not use French much outside of that |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try to get a strong base before coming so you will be able to attempt speaking and build on that |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | You'll have the time of your life! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
