Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Cultural and linguistic immersion in Aix! May 24, 2024

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/07/2024 to 05/20/2024 with

Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I feel that my language skills have improved immensely, that I know myself much better having lived alone for the first time, and that I have gotten the chance to see so many amazing cultural and historical sites across Europe.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The French university experience is very different from the American liberal arts system, and most of the difficulty I found came from those differences and a language adjustment.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff were all super friendly and helpful, and I felt like I always had access to support and ways to problem-solve.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a studio apartment close to the center of town.

* Food:

I mostly cooked for myself in the mornings and evenings and ate lunch in town with friends.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Though it was difficult to make French friends at the university, I did make some acquaintances and still felt like I could participate in life in town.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health issues and did not need to access healthcare while abroad. No vaccines were required in advance.

* Safety:

Aix is a very safe town and as long as you have some basic street smarts you should be totally fine.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program was my best option from Wellesley to improve my French skills, and the semester has been even better than I imagined.

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)

Aix is an expensive town, especially for food, but with some easy options like the university cafe, and the program's monthly stipend, it wasn't too difficult to not over-spend.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were required to speak exclusively in French whenever at the program center, and were highly encouraged to use it in all other aspects of our lives.

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? 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? Make sure to speak in the target language even with other program participants, especially at the beginning – even if you fall out of the habit, it helps to have a solid base!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • The direct support we had from the program staff
  • The chance to explore different cities around France
  • Being encouraged to view our time as a fully culturally immersive experience
* What could be improved?
  • More group activities at the beginning of the semester
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew a little more about how the French university system actually works, and what American students should expect in terms of workload and structure.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!