Aix-traordinay Past Review
By Rachel H (Anthropology., Barnard College) for
Vanderbilt University: Aix-en-Provence - Vanderbilt Center
Honestly, the program was not so good for me academically. I really value the level of ethic and work that comes from Barnard and that was lacking here. However, the social aspect of it all was an amazing experience and I learned so much about what I think of the world and about myself. Meeting up with Barnard girls in London in April, I also realized how much I value intellectual conversation and the drive of the Barnard woman.
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 Vanderbilt professors this semester were not very good teachers, however I've heard that they're usually amazing. The grading system was number-based but essentially the same. There was definitely not as much work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One of the major issues I had was that my apartment was disgusting. On the website, it stated that each apartment got cleaned by a professional staff after every semester, but mine looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. There were bugs and dust everywhere. There was an issue in the middle of the semester as to our week-long trip, which was supposed to be to Tunisia. Because of Arab Spring, that did not happen, and the alternative trip was cancelled due to issues with the travel agency. We received little warning and little information regarding these events and our families were not contacted at all. As to their knowledge of the host country and the American educational system, both were exemplary and the women in the office were great to talk to and get to know. However, the disorganization was sometimes too much to handle. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The neighborhood (and city, really) was extremely safe and a 5-10 minute walk from the city center where the nightlife and shops and restaurants are located. It was about a 5 minute walk to the VIF Center as well. We had to buy our own cleaning supplies and toilet amenities, but we received reimbursements for all of that. I was placed with a great dinner family that warmly accepted my dietary restrictions (vegetarian) and made amazing food, but I know some other students were unimpressed and unhappy with their families.. But honestly, that was just a function of their not being familiar with French culture and inadvertently insulting their dinner families. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Carnaval at Nice was awesome, but we didn't stay for the night festivities, which would have been great. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I contracted bacterial laryngitis close to the end of the program, and I was able to get healthcare the day I called (the doctor's information was provided by the program). I was also reimbursed for the doctor's visit and the anti-bacterials (which were SO cheap!) from the worldwide health insurance we were obligated to buy. |
| 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? | Around 100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eating out is REALLY expensive. Buy groceries. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate French II |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Every class was in French, we lived with two French students who were supposed to only speak French with us, and we were assigned a family to go Monday-Thursday for dinner with whom we only spoke French. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Someone who is independent and willing to go above what is the minimum expectation. |
