France: The Adventure Past Review
By Schyler T (International Affairs And Commerce, University of the Pacific) for
USAC France: Pau - French Language and European Studies
It was absolutely worthwhile and amazing! It did not, however, change my future academic plans and/or interests.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload is heavier in class and lighter outside class. They use the US grading system for us. Teaching methods aren't significantly different. The US education system has more freedom of choice with classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I didn't have that much experience with it, actually. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I didn't need to buy anything but a new lightbulb. Previous international students left a considerable about of stuff behind. |
| * Food: |
I managed my own food, so... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We could do all kinds of things with a little money, and the USAC provided some field trips. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The USAC helped us with interaction with the medical system here. The health system here is like a well-developed game compared to the US. People will go to the doctor for the most minor issues. I didn't need any vaccinations. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50€ ish. Stuff gets expensive here. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Besides having to buy my own food if I wanted to eat? |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Third semester |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
That was the entire focus of the program I participated in, with some electives tacked on as extra. We could practice with fellow student 'conversation partners' or the professors or natives. We need to use the host country language frequently, if not every single day. Not many people could speak English. |
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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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? | Do your homework, pay attention in class, and go do fun stuff on the weekends. Have something to do on Sunday because nearly everything is closed. |
