Aix-en-Provence: Five Months of French Language, Good Food and Sunshine!" Past Review
By A student () for
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
I advanced my written and oral abilities with the French language, and learned how to live on my own in a foreign country. I gained the confidence that I needed to be a success in whatever path that I choose moving forward.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universite de Provence Aix-Marseille 1), Sciences-Po Aix |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload for most of my courses was fine, but for the Wellesley-sponsored Arthurien literature class, it was a challenge. I often found myself staying at my apartment all weekend, having to read for that class, while my roommate was able to spend her time traveling around Europe. I have no objections to working hard, but participation in this class limited my ability to explore Europe while I was there. I also did not feel comfortable within the grading system for many of the classes, where the entire grade would be based off of three, two or even one assignment/exam. This caused me anguish coming back to Wellesley. I was not sure if I had passed the Arthurian literature course in France because the final exam was particularly difficult for me. As a result, I had to take 5 classes this semester at Wellesley to make up for a potentially failed class. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved almost everything about the program. The director and her assistants worked very hard for us and were always available to help us and provide support in case of an emergency. My expectations were met and exceeded by this program. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartments were all set up for students, with all of the things we needed to be comfortable (sheets, blankets, towels, pots and pans, furniture, etc). The apartment I lived in was beautiful and was perfectly located in the center of the old town. |
| * Food: |
Food in France is amazing. No complaints here. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed all of the excursions arranged by our program director, but I particularly enjoyed the excursions to Normandy and Giverny. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Aix is generally a very safe town, but there were incidents that reminded us that despite the village charm of the town, it was still technically a city and we had to always be vigilant. Two of my peers had their wallets stolen in Aix and one girl on my program was robbed at knifepoint in broad daylight in Parc Jourdain, on her way to the university. |
| 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The best way to practice your language skills are to make friends with locals or live in a host family. It is important to practice and to be around people who can help correct your grammar. It is the only way to have true improvement. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | DO IT. There is no way you will regret your decision to study in Aix. |
