Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I would love to be able to recommend this program Past Review

By (Western Washington University) - abroad from 07/01/2013 to 08/10/2013 with

AIFS: Cannes - Campus International de Cannes

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I would love to be able to recommend this program. The onsite staff was great, the professors were engaging and friendly, but the lack of security provided for female students was disgraceful. I took part in this program so that I could have security and guidance during my first experience abroad. The AIFS staff onsite were wonderful and went above and beyond in there positions. However, security was lacking. Additional security should be employed.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors were great.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Staff was great.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Noisy. But fine.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not integrated at all. The school did not, to my knowledge, have any French students and all AIFS excursions were separate from the school and only included the AIFS American students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

There should have been security on the street by the campus. There was not and several attacks occurred. I did not feel safe and I am bigger, more aware of my surroundings, and more intimidating looking than the other female students I was with. The campus administration were kind and considerate in their response to these attacks, but the attacks should not have occurred in the first place, and they especially should have occurred as they did within 100 feet of the campus. Preventative measures should be taken.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Consider applying straight to the university you wish to attend and not going through a program. It will be way less expensive and may still suit your abroad needs and expectations.

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
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? Listen to songs that you like in the language you are learning and try to sing along, this will help you practice making the sounds of the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting students from all over
  • Seeing somewhere new
  • Exploring
* What could be improved?
  • Security
  • Increaded interaction with local students
  • Syllabuses should be provided
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much less it would have cost to simply go through the college rather than the program

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!