A Push Out of my Comfort Zone August 16, 2022
By A student (Public Health, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/17/2022 to 05/18/2022 with
University of Minnesota: Language & Culture in Southern France
Besides learning French, being abroad pushed me to learn how to be more independent whether that is keeping track of my spendings, navigating through a foreign city, or learning how to balance school and social life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program really pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. The classes were a bit difficult but I learned a lot! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All the staff members/administration were super nice and helpful! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was really kind and helped me adjust to the country. I learned a lot just by talking to them and staying with them. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really liked the city that I studied in. I got to meet a lot of lifelong friends and I thought the classes that I took were hard, but I learned a lot. |
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) |
It was pretty costly, but that was also to be expected |
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 |
|
| 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? | Talk to as many locals as you can! Try to go out and make friends who are natives. |
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? | Don't underestimate the weather (it was way colder than I thought it would be). |
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.' |
