Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Spring in Aix June 10, 2025

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/05/2025 to 05/28/2025 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent, and to set personal goals for myself.

Personal Information

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 classes weren't necessarily rigorous, until the last month when final exams happened.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There were quite a few situations that were handled poorly by the administration. The most shocking was how the program handled a French professor who said the n-word in French and English. They completely brushed it off until Wellesley professors intervened. Although this incident was incredibly dissapointing and hurtful, I do think the administrators made strides to remedy the situation and be more transparent afterwards.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The student apartments were very dissapointing, especially during the last month. There was about a week without wifi, early morning construction, one day without electricity (which spoiled all of the groceries in the fridge), and days without water. I know there is not much that the program adminstrators could have done to prevent this, but it seems like these are problems that have happened in the past. I feel like these problems were brushed over in a "c'est la vie" kind of way and not properly addressed. At the very least, the administration should purchase a mobile hotspot for students when the wifi goes out, which happened quite often.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt safe walking around past midnight.

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

I believe my french improved a lot and I was able to acheive a C1 on the end of the semester TCF exam, however I think I would focus more on my grammar and speaking if I were to do the program again, and really encourage myself to speak french often.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make your own meals, book flights/buses for travel early & ask for student discounts

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

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 212
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 french as much as possible!! Immerse yourself in french films and books,

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • Friends
  • Location
  • Free time
* What could be improved?
  • Grammar practice
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Dorms
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's ok to make mistakes in front of native speakers.

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!