Spring semester in Aix Past Review
By A student (Political Science And French, Wellesley College) - abroad from 12/28/2013 to 05/21/2014 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
I found myself surprised and sometimes shocked at French people's attitudes on things, which made me appreciate my own culture so much more. I do think it was worthwhile because it gives you a different perspective on how foreigners are treated outside their country. Being somewhere where people do not speak your first language changes people's perspectives on you, which made me learn A LOT on how people with accents or whom don't speak a language well must feel.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Classes at Aix-Marseille Université and Sciences Po were very disappointing, to say the least. It made me appreciate my education in the US so much more, as well as the wonderful professors that always take the time to answer any questions students have. Academics in France are very different than in the US—the class structure consists mostly of professors lecturing for three to four hours while students chatter or are on Facebook, and there's hardly any turn in homework, so it takes a different approach to succeed in academics. Students should really put in effort since the start of the semester; although it's tough to understand everything you read or hear in the beginning of the program, it gets easier as your learning progresses! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
French men in Aix can be very insistent and creepy with catcalls or coming up to us and trying to touch your hair. I found it best to call them out telling them to leave us alone (in French), but other friends opted for saying nothing because the men could pick up on their accent and insist even more. |
| 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) |
When I was careful with my money, I spent maybe around 80 euros per week, and when I wasn't I spent ~130. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I do wish I would have been more careful with money in the beginning of the of the semester, so I could have saved up more money to travel. My mistake was in thinking that I could eat out at restaurants almost every day. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 211 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | I really think I should have spent more time researching other programs in France. While I don't think Aix was a particularly good fit for me, I did make good friends within the program which made my stay there worthwhile, as long as improving my French speaking immensely. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
