Highly recommended! Past Review
By Kylie H (Romance Languages, University of Oregon) - abroad from 01/06/2014 to 04/19/2014 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France
I learned a lot more of the French language and I gained many new friends from all over the world. DEFINITELY worthwhile!!
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 |
The on-site administration MADE the program! It was because of them that I had such an amazing experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I started with a home-stay and it was not good housing conditions, but we notified Vivienne (our site director) and she immediately moved my roommate and me into an amazing apartment. |
| * Food: |
AMAZING |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt as connected as I could be, considering french people are a little more closed off. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Aix-en-Provence and France in general are very expensive. |
| 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? | Cook at home or make a big pot luck dinner with friends! You will save so much money. |
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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | One 300 level class (third year 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? | Stay with a host family or ask your director to find you a local who wants to learn english or meet new people and practice with them. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | The cultural differences between the French and Americans is very apparent in terms of politeness and curtesy. French have a very different attitude in terms of what they think is polite because they will come off incredibly rude and selfish to a typical American. It doesn't affect the program that much, but it is something I wish I would've understood a little better before I arrived. |
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. |
