Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Take me back to live it again and again. Past Review

By (Marketing, international business, Seton Hall University) - abroad from 01/12/2015 to 05/01/2015 with

AIFS: Grenoble - Grenoble School of Management

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that the people of the world have an immense amount of knowledge and it is important to experience everything and all you can, given the opportunities you seek out.

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.

Great school, learned from not only the professors but the international students in the classroom

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful with everything

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with my host mom who did not speak English. This was the best way for us to both teach each other our languages and really helped me learn French. I still am in contact with my host mom and would not have wanted to experience living abroad any other way.

* Food:

My host mom would cook dinner every night for us to have together. The food was amazing, it was rich and healthy.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I lived like the locals but I wish I attended the hockey or rugby games that were popular there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Be aware and alert of your surroundings in Grenoble. Beautiful city but as like any other city, it is important to be careful

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)

I learned how to budget and not spend too much while still allowing myself to allocate my finances around the things I did want to do. (Travel, etc)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60-75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat every meal offered with your host family. You will be able to fully indulge in the culture and bonding with your family, learn about culture, food, and also save money on meals you could have at home.

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

In school not so much other than language class but in Grenoble we were very much encouraged to use French.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Only one semester of beginner French
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? Download the Duolingo app

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • There were a mixture of students in the classroom. I was able to learn from so many lessons and experiences they spoke of.
  • The professors were from various countries and brought their teaching methods to the classroom which made me more flexible and adaptable with learning.
* What could be improved?
  • Creating an affiliation with Seton Hall to make it easier to transfer credits.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Reverse culture shock is important to prepare for when returning home.

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.