Best semester of my life Past Review
By Emily M (French Language, Literature, University of Kentucky) - abroad from 01/06/2014 to 04/19/2014 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France
I gained so much from the experience. Aside from the obvious language and culture training, I met lifelong friends. My roommate from Aix will even be in my wedding next summer! But most importantly, I learned how to function completely on my own.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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 administrators are AMAZING |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely LOVED my host family - we still write letters back and forth! |
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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? |
I did not have a health issue, but my roommate did and she was able to take care of it easily. The program assisted her in finding a doctor and filling her prescription |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe at all in Aix |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I wish every day I could go back. The semester in Aix was the time of my life. |
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 is expensive |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out all the time - buy food at the market for lunches and weekend meals |
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 |
We were required to use the language in school and at home |
| 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? | French 201 |
| How many hours per day did you use 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 goes by too quickly! |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
