Past Review
By Michaela B (French, Art History, Wellesley College) for
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
Though there were slight challenges, I still believe that my study abroad was completely worthwhile and I do not regret a thing.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Université de Provence, L'Institut d'Études Politiques Aix en Provence |
| 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. |
As I noted above, the teaching style was very different than what I was used to. While I appreciated being exposed to a different style of teaching, I did not really find many of my professors to be all that passionate about what they were teaching. There was often difficulty in terms of what work was expected outside of the classroom in terms of assignments, reading, etc. However, there were of course exceptions and I did take a few classes where the professors were clear and concise, which as international student I felt was extremely helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was composed of great people. The program's director, Sylvaine Egron-Sparrow did an amazing job acting as director, as I know that acting as the program's director is no easy job. However, there were issues in the beginning of the program in terms of living arrangements, apartments, etc. The program could have been much better organized, though as it was in a transitional period for the first semester there were some difficulties. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Apartment, provided by Wellesley in Aix program. Lived with another student within the program. <br /><br /> While my roommate and I did speak french together, we also did speak English as we were both American. I think that while I preferred living in an apartment with another foreigner, my language skills could have benefited more from living within a house with a host family or with other foreign students who did not speak my native tongue. |
| * Food: |
I did not have any dietary restrictions and I ate very well while in France - its very hard not to! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved being able to travel all across Europe. In general, my social and cultural experiences outweighed the somewhat dissapointing academic experiences to make my year very worthwhile and memorable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I spent my stipend of 500 euros a month mostly on food, travel and other expenses. In addition I probably spent another $3000 US of my own savings on travel and other expenses, such as clothing and going out to eat. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think it is important to keep in mind ATM and foreign exchange surcharges. There are American banks that are affiliated with foreign banks and will not charge you any additional fees. It would be extremely useful to mention this to students going abroad as I lost quite a bit of money to ATM fees over the year. |
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? | 200 level course. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced my language with other students, faculty and our program advisors/directors. |
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? | Just do it. A year abroad is a once in a lifetime experience and if you decide not to go away you will most likely ultimately regret it. A year abroad changes and shapes you and ultimately benefits you. |
