Fulfilled a life dream; it was enriching and exceeded my expectations. Past Review
By Emily S (Writing, General, Lee University) - abroad from 02/27/2016 to 05/05/2016 with
Atelier Neo Medici: Villeneuve sur Lot - Annual Painting Course & 2-month Intensive Painting Workshop
From Greg Pelizzari I learned a renaissance style of painting, and even more than that I learned about myself as an artist, which in turn taught me more about myself as a person. My weakness, my strengths. We truly worked on one painting for almost a month, this really caused me to slow down in my work and my efforts. The entire culture was slow, the people of this town all took two hour lunch breaks where even restaurants shut down. I learned to be intentional with time I was using but also to not rush through projects and through life in general. It is a much different mode of operating than the word of education, and the world of life in general in America. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be truly immersed in another culture for long enough to settle into it and understand it and compare it to my own.
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 |
Greg Pelizzari was very reliable, a great teacher, a great tour guide, and very kind. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Amazing food and farmers marker shopping |
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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: |
I wouldn't advise walking alone at night through this town, definitely stuck out as a blonde hair, fair skinned, american and this attracted attention of some younger men however our teacher was aware of this and took precautions. Besides night time we felt safe walking alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
There was such a sense of peace in the town of villeneuve sir lot and also in our instructor Gregory. We worked hard and learned exactly what we came to learn, but also slowed down in a way. It was so refreshing to experience growth and achievement while still feeling sense of calm and enjoyment through the process. Living the life of a local south France dweller was a life changing experience. |
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? | $50.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't shop too much, you'll save money and won't over-load your bags |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 prepared what paintings I would work on and decided before I came |
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! |
