Strasbourg is amazing but the housing needs to improve Past Review

By (Soka University of America) - abroad from 01/14/2016 to 05/31/2016 with

Accès: Strasbourg - Accès Classique: Semester Study Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
learned about the other extreme to American society

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

not very difficult at the institute

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Alex is willing to make accommodations for anything

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

bad host family, living space not sanitary

* Food:

dinner was too repetitive with my host mom but meals with Alex were always very good

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

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)

Strasbourg is an expensive city I wish a little bit more could have been allocated

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 10-15 a day, averages 85 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? you have to eat at the university restaurants if you want to eat well without severely depleting financial reserves. good in France is otherwise just too expensive

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

lecture based classes were not useful

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? 400 level
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? read and watch the news. talk to anyone, they're friendly.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • city
  • culture
  • local girls
* What could be improved?
  • housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? eat at the resto U

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!