I already want to go back! June 06, 2023
By A student (Politics, French, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/17/2023 to 05/17/2023 with
University of Minnesota: Language & Culture in Southern France
Worth every second. I gained confidence, independence, flexibility, and language fluency.
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. |
My abroad university experience was colored by current French politics. The population is very discontent with the change in the retirement age and as a result, strikes at the university were frequent. My professors were knowledgable and communicative but classes were often cancelled due to those outside reasons. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
UMN staff are some of the kindest and most competent people I know. 15/10 stars |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a host family with whom I became very close. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Through UMN I was able to see a therapist easily. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe during the day but you don't want to be a woman alone at night if you're downtown |
| 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) |
Montpellier is quite cheap but I am very fortunate in that my parents supported me through my time there so I couldn't say for a student who is financing their own experience. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | <$50 |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Upper-level college courses (10 years of total study) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch tv and listen to music in the native 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?
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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? |
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? | That the French often strike. |
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.' |
