Good Expereince Past Review
By A student (Biology, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 01/06/2013 to 05/01/2013 with
USAC France: Pau - French Language and European Studies
I learned a lot of French, I learned about French and European mentality, and I learned a bit about wine. It was absolutely worthwhile; I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My family was very nice and polite. They gave me everything I needed and answered any questions I had. But they made me feel like an imposition; they did not treat me like one of the family, never inviting me to do things with them or offering to show me any French culture. The mom wouldn't even let me cook with her. They had strict rules that my friends couldn't come into the house. Ever. I couldn't talk with people on skype after 9pm France-time even though night was a good time for my family in the States to talk. But the largest issue was we differed in social ideologies. My family was extremely socially conservative and homophobic, and as a very liberal bisexual that made me uncomfortable. I had to hide who I was to avoid confrontation. When I signed up for my housing, there were no questions asking about whether you are liberal-minded or queer or anything like that, and I think these issues are important to consider when a student is going to have to live with a family for 4 months. Questions addressing socially liberal- or conservative-mindedness and queer-friendliness should be included on both sides of the housing application process so that families and students may better be matched. |
| * Food: |
Try the duck! |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | Around 25 euro, unless I went shopping for souvenirs. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a daily budget. Don't go over, say 5 euro a day all week. Then if you want to go out on the weekend, you have money saved up, or if you want to go on a trip. And don't buy little cheap snacks all the time. They add up. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 level college French |
| 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? | Don't 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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| 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? | I wish I had not bought my return plane ticket before I left for France. You never know how the trip will be and you may want to leave early or stay in Europe for a while after classes are done. I wish I had left my return plane ticket purchase until spring break. |
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.' |
