Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Linguistics and Anthropology, Rice University) for

USAC France: Pau - French Language and European Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I now think I can live in France, if it came to be.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of Pau
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

One professor did nothing but grammar, something we all thought we had had enough of in the United States. She was a fan of homework and exams and while she taught us a lot, it was very boring and soured the experience. The second professor I had was much more engaging, and didn't teach grammar explicitly; instead, she worked it into her lessons that were more focused on music, culture, and movies. She listened to the students more than the first professor I spoke about, and had an excellent sense of humor. I also had a professor who was soft-spoken, nice, and very encouraging; a part of me feels that she could have been harder on us to force us to learn more, but that may have just been me.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Sometimes certain practices were done that just didn't mesh with the American students - the practice of calling everyone out in front of the class for wrong answers on a test, for instance. They didn't listen to some requests (such as more speaking and less grammar) either. Others, however, were much more responsive, and many trips were organized that were very enjoyable.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

USAC has certain studios reserved in nearby university residential buildings. The idea of a "dorm" doesn't exist in France. <br /><br /> Don't buy stuff until you enter your room; we've left stuff for you. Get used to walking. And if you're in a studio, don't expect to get much French practice in, honestly.

* Food:

Southwest France is known for duck, so eat lots of it. Also have the Jurancon wine, it's incredibly sweet. And order a Monaco if you don't like bitter alcohol.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Go on all the USAC trips you can. Seriously. If only for the food, go.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Note you can't just pluck medicine off a shelf and buy it; even allergy medicine requires a prescription.

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? No idea; maybe 50 euros?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You don't have any cards for the trains, so don't say you do unless you want a fee. Also, 19.2% tax on everything. Also everything is closed from 12-2, and after 7, and on Sundays. And you have to go to specific places to print.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? only middle and high school classes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Find someone, anyone to talk to, especially if you aren't in a host family. It's incredibly difficult to practice otherwise, and you end up speaking more English than French.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do it. And do your best to speak French.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Photography
Course Department:
Instructor: Baena
Instruction Language: French/English
Comments: It was interesting and gave everyone hands-on experience with a camera and developing film. There wasn't much time, though, and it would have been nice to take and develop more pictures.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Cooking
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: It was all right. I wasn't particularly impressed by any of the flavors; I feel they were all missing something. Other students loved the food, though, so perhaps that's just me. Not much hands on experience, which is weird for a cooking class; everyone pretty much just watches.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Fashion
Course Department:
Instructor: Marie-Pierre I.
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Putting together a runway show is extremely ambitious in 3 weeks; that being said, it actually turned out. Almost no history on fashion, nor talking about current trends and styles; it's just the show. At least during the summer, anyway.
Credit Transfer Issues: