Making New Friends and Learning Together February 26, 2024
By A student (French Language, Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/28/2023 to 12/22/2023 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was a major challenge for me, it was the longest I had ever spent truly away from home and my family, and I had never really been independent like that, so I learned a lot about myself and got to really build my belief in my abilities, and my language skills improved exponentially which was so rewarding to see all my hard work pay off. Also, the friendships I left the program with are so incredibly special to me, which is an aspect I did not anticipate but am immensely grateful for.
Personal Information
| 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. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | $40-$80 but most of this was essentially reimbursed by the program |
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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | high-intermediate course |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | speak with the others in your program in the language, not in english! it can seem annoying but actually it was the most rewarding aspect because it was low stakes, we were all learning, and we got to get better and learn to love and master the language together and it brought us closer togther |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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 wish I had come into the program with less expectations, especially with regards to a host family because my situation was very different from my initial expectations which was quite tough at first, but once I adjusted my expectations (essentially got rid of them) I felt much better about the situation |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
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