Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Meet people that have gone before and make friends with locals. Past Review

By (Art History, The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 02/01/2015 to 06/30/2015 with

Clermont-Auvergne University: Clermont-Ferrand - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very fun and worthwhile, but I had a rough start. Traveling is the best part of my experience abroad.

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.

School is a bit disorganized and confusing, especially for an exchange student with very little prior information regarding classes, housing, and other important information preceding actual enrollment in the school.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Rather confusing, I expected more communication between my host and home university before my arrival.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing is suitable, but would have appreciated the availability of choice. On the application, I was given the choice of having housing or not, without any further information on where it would be, how much it would cost, or the choice of which dorm I'd live in.

* Food:

University food is not satisfactory.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Situated where I am, I feel adequately integrated in the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not need health issues addressed.

* Safety:

Several safety incidents reported by fellow students relating to harassment by locals.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? At least 60 euros per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find a job or some way to earn money while abroad.

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

All but 1 class was taught in the host language and the locals are french-only speakers.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French Comp.
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 friends with locals.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Travelling
  • Meeting new people
  • Living independently
* What could be improved?
  • Better preperation from the home university
  • Communication between universities
  • More support from TCNJ in return for the $450 application fee to leave the school and study abroad
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? My host university is kind of like a community college, I'd like to have taken classes that would have also been with local french students.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.