The most amazing semester of my life!! Past Review
By Kendra H (Biology, General., University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 09/23/2012 to 01/19/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France
I became much more mature and much more open to people that I would have never thought twice about. I have become much more accepting of other people, cultures, etc. I learned how difficult it is to plan a trip. It was definitely worthwhile, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
3 hour long language classes were really tough at first, but they really helped me improve significantly |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Vivienne is always willing and ready to help with any problems. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My first homestay was good until my host mom started drinking heavily. I was moved to a new homestay where I felt as I was just a guest that ate dinner with the family. I never felt truly welcome in the house. I wasn't allowed to use anything outside of my room and I had very little speaking interaction with the family. |
| * Food: |
French food is the best in the world! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The older French population was always very happy to speak to an American learning French. The younger population seemed to be set with their own group of friends and unwilling to open up to new friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got a doctor's appointment within 2 hours of calling, and I was in and out within 10 minutes. |
| * Safety: |
Aix is a very safe city, day and night. |
| 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) |
I saved up a lot before coming abroad because I knew I wanted to do a lot of traveling while I was here. I definitely spent more than most people on travel, but I spent very little on food and personal expenses. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | try not to shop unless it is les soldes, make food at home vs eating out, plan trips in advance and not the week before, get the bus pass if you know you will be using it often, do more free activities, stay in hostels or other people's apartments (airBNB) |
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 |
our entire school was strictly in French, so no English was really allowed. As for the actual program, most homestays didn't know English, so French was required, but apartments was pretty much based on whether or not each person decided to speak French |
| 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? | 303 |
| 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? | Live in a homestay, talk with people at cafes, try to get to know as many french people as possible, always do activities that involve speaking the language |
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? | It is extremely difficult to make true French friends because they are not very accepting of new friends into their "circle" of friends. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
