I love France! Past Review
By Araceli V (Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies., University of the Pacific) for
USAC France: Pau - French Language and European Studies
My study abroad experience was totally worthwhile! I love the French language and culture and not only that but I also want to learn more languages and visit mor countries to further my international awareness.
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. |
The workload was very easy and duable. The grading system was fair and the teaching methods varied by professors but overall it was good. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Accessibility with the on-site admonistrators was great, they were very helpful, they knew a lot about the local town and the program size was a good size. I would suggest the on-site administrators to help the program students to get to know each other a little better, like doing group activities more often and also activities with the local university students. The on-site program advisors could have done more activities to help the program students meet local university students in order to help the program students to get to know a bit more about the local culture. The onsite orientation was helpful, but I would also advise them to get the group of students to get to know each other a little more and also to help them know the university and town a lot better, for example telling us if there is any festivals in the town. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The location of my host family's home to the university was good and it seemed like a good neighborhood, but not with the nightlife. I didnt have to buy much to settle in, everything was mostly there. My host family treated me like a guest in their home. |
| * Food: |
I didn't have any problems looking for foods to meet my dietary restrictions. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In the town I was living abroad they held a festival or carnaval for mardi gras and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The program held about four fieldtrips and all were very fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe most of the time. Where I lived there was practically a pharmacy on every street and it was easy to see a doctor or pharmacist and the program had advised us what to do on a health realted emergency or problem. Healthcare was better and easier than at home and I didn't need any special vaccination for that country. |
| 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 30 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | no unanticipated expenses. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Third Year French 1st semester |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice the language with the professors in class in with my host family. In the town where I stayed some people knew English, but very little. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The type of student that would benefit the most of this program would be one who wants to further their French language knowledge, but who also wants to enjoy themselves by learning about the local culture. |
