Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Life-Changing Experience in Lyon Past Review

By (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 09/01/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

USAC France: Lyon - French Language, Art History, and Francophone Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. Living in Lyon and attending a French university brought my language skills to near fluency, and it was also a period of incredible transformation and self-growth.

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.

Classes are long (2 hours each) and intensive (taught entirely in French), but not overwhelming once you settle into the routine.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The USAC coordinators were kind and helpful when prompted, but I didn't see them very often and they were incredibly busy for the entire semester. I think maybe they've hired another program assistant since then, which might help. As for CIEF, like most French bureaucracy, it isn't very well-organized, but I found it easy to talk to the professors on their own.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my homestay - it was essential for integrating well into French culture, and it greatly improved my fluency!

* Food:

The food at my homestay was amazing, but within homestays it tends to vary! That being said, fresh groceries from the market run cheap and are widely available.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

USAC doesn't offer a lot of opportunities to make French friends or meet French people, but with a little bit of effort, it's super easy to do on your own!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had both a doctor and a dentist appointment. It was easy to find local doctors with availability and everything went well, but filing an insurance claim is complicated and the program insurance doesn't cover dental - even in emergencies.

* Safety:

I had infrequent experiences with street harassment, but I never felt unsafe in Lyon at any hour of the day or night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved Lyon, I loved Université Lumière Lyon 2, I loved my homestay - all in all, it was an incredible experience and I wish I could do it all over again.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy groceries from the outdoor markets, cook or eat at your homestay more often than you go out, travel by bus or train, take advantage of student discounts! Most students who I talked to brought around $2000 and budgeted accordingly.

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 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? 347
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? Live with a homestay, spend time with your international classmates who don't speak English, and seek out French students!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Independence
  • Language practice
* What could be improved?
  • Contact with USAC staff
  • Opportunities to interact with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I hadn't spent so much time stressing about it - it's going to be okay!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!