Cultural Past Review

By (Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/06/2012 to 06/03/2012 with

Utah Valley University: Traveling - French

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am able to understand and comprehend the french language more after having this experience. I really have an appreciation for the French culture and I cannot wait to go back. Definitely was worthwhile!

Review Photos

Utah Valley University: Traveling - French Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was really intense since the professor at the university only spoke to us in French during class, but that set the bar higher for learning.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? For 29 days in the program, a lot of days I did not even have to spend money on food so just to average out I would say $50 a week because most was in Paris (the last week).
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take the number of days the student will be in the program and divide how much money the student has budgeted; for example, if I only want to spend $500 for the total 29 days it will be about $17 a day. If the student wants to not be worried about not eating or running out of money I would budget for $1000 and the student will probably only end up using 3/4 of that amount, that way the student will not panic over money or eating while in a foreign country.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? 1020
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? Note cards and study groups.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The professor at Actilangue and having class as a group rather than being too split up.
* What could be improved?
  • Preparing students for the bus system, maybe teach them how to read a bus map.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that while at school everything is in French and no one speaks English, I would have brought my note cards with me on the first day because I was so nervous I almost forgot how to even say my name!