Life in Nancy, France Past Review
By megan.couch.10 (Writing and Rhetoric, French, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 05/13/2012 with
University of Lorraine: Nancy - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Completely worthwhile. Learned how to be more outgoing, more confident in myself, able to stand up for myself. I learned a lot about world outside of the US.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was in an advanced group, so we were expected to already know the basics of French, and mostly had debates and wrote essays in class. I really enjoyed it =) Would have liked to have class with French students as well, instead of a program of only international DEFLE students |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Had a lot of trouble dealing with the differences in administration in France vs. America. Things were definitely more complicated and less organized than I was used to, and I wasn't prepared for that aspect of Study Abroad |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in the lowest rate dorm room and found it sometimes hard to live with, but in general, problems and situations in the dorm were taken care of. |
| * Food: |
Was on my own, so bought my own food. Can be more expensive at times, but found that I learned more about the culture that way. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I tried my hardest to get involved in the school and community and try to fit in with the locals. Most people were very accepting and tried to be patient. Had a few problems but not many. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Although it was a small town, my friends and I constantly had problems in Nancy with men in particular, and people following erasmus students. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
Had trouble at first realizing how much money it costs to live in France. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-200 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | set aside specific budgets for trips. Know where you want to go, and research general costs before hand, and be sure to save an extra 300-400 for random trips you find along the way. |
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 |
constantly spoke in French in class-not allowed to speak native language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 303 |
| 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? | Lots of listening activities, and don't be afraid to talk to people, or even go to public places when you get there and listen to the different conversations around you |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | that even though every problem abroad may seem like the end of the world, situations are fixable. |
