Great time learning french in Pau Past Review
By Katy J (Early Childhood Education, Miami University of Ohio) for
USAC France: Pau - French Language and European Studies
I loved every second of it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were not extremely difficult, but they weren't easy. I had some work that I had to complete outside of class, but very little. Mostly just going out and trying to speak French with others. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The great thing about USAC were the excursions that were included within the tuition. We went to many places that I would not have gone on my own, especially the national parks. I was there for both sessions, and greatly enjoyed all 4 excursions that we took. The directors are very helpful in suggesting other trips to take and where to stay and all that. The program isn't all that large, so you know who everyone is. Overall, I had a wonderful time and wish I could have spent a whole semester there! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living with a family. Originally, I had signed up to live with a family for the first session and then in the dorms the second session. But I ended up liking my family so much that I stayed with them. The house I was at was very close to school and to a bus stop to go downtown. I had my own room and shared a bathroom with my family's 2 children. I also had my own little kitchen where I kept some food and other things. It was a great arrangement and I was treated as a member of the family. I did not have any issues at all. |
| * Food: |
The dining area provided has some interesting choices, but you can almost always find at least one thing to eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
great excursions were planned. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Pau is a very safe city and not once did I feel scared or unsafe. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Classes were all in French, but based on the level that you tested into. Since it is an immersion program, they really encourage you to interact with the French people in Pau. My speaking abilities increased dramatically. Since Pau is not that Americanized you are almost forced to speak French as much as possible. This was something I was looking for in a program, so it was good for me. The directors do speak English. Some of the professors do as well, especially if you are in a lower level class. But overall, its mostly all French all the time. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A person who really wants to learn a lot of French in a short period of time would benefit most from this program. It is an intensive language program and you will most definitely come out of it a better French speaker. |
