Un Semestre Magique à Aix-en-Provence Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/03/2012 to 05/29/2012 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
The ability to adapt to new and sometimes scary situations. The ability to communicate with almost everyone in a foreign language with increased fluency and ease. I fell in love with France and want to work/live there when I graduate. Yes it was worthwhile!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Université Aix-Marseilles III, Institut des Etudes Politiques |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The facilities at the Université Aix-Marseille were not up to the standards I was used to in the States. Professors often seemed inaccessible and students were unmotivated. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Madame Masson was an excellent administrator and things always ran smoothly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family |
| * Food: |
Food was such a huge part of my experience in France, and luckily my host mom was an exceptional cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard to relate to the students at the university, but I felt like a local at the markets, cafes, etc. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe walking around. |
| 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) |
France is very expensive. |
| * 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? | 100 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Living with a host family was a great way to increase my fluency. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Fren 221 |
| 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? | Speak the language with your friends and really immerse yourself in the language by seeing movies, eating out, etc. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | More about the history and town of Aix-en-Provence. |
