The Best 4 Months in France (and just about everywhere else in Europe) Past Review

By (Biology, General., Birmingham-Southern College) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This was the most worthwhile thing I have ever done. Not only did my French improve drastically, but I made some incredible friends and had the opportunity to travel all over Europe and even to Africa. My future plans have not changed, save that I will most definitely be returning to France at some point in my life. I also vow to pursue a French education.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University Paul Cézanne Aix - Marseille III
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was not terribly difficult. If you went to class and spent a few hours outside of class, you would be an "A" student. Professors were often quite direct and did not care if they scared you or hurt your feelings. It was not a bad thing at all, just different.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Vivienne and Sarah were the BEST. I can't imagine anyone else making us feel more at home and helping us with any problem...seriously, any problem.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

before leaving we were able to have a preference on housing. I chose these student apartments and they were in a good location, but not the nicest apartments. Definitely student apartments. Not good for having company. I had to buy a few things, but CEA would have bought me anything I wanted.

* Food:

I cooked all of my own food, which was great with the daily market right near me. Restaurants were often expensive but some cheap sandwich shops (Paul) were reasonable and delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

CEA offered a bunch of cool excursions for us to do around the area such as an olive oil festival and visits to a medieval castle. I also traveled all over the south of France with my family, went to Paris multiple times, went to Morocco, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and London.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in Aix. If you are a girl, you may not want to walk around alone at night, but that is nothing new.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

practice language with anyone. Most definitely need to use some French, but most of my friends were Americans with CEA. Most people in CEA spoke English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Aix-en-Provence is such an incredible place. I made some of the best friends ever and enjoyed every minute of my time there. I am considering dropping out of my senior year of college to go live on the streets of Aix.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Niveau IV - Avancé

Course Department: FR 400
Instructor: Tissot
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course met 10 hours/week. It was adequately challenging but the environment was warm. No field trips. Teacher was well-prepared. I participated in class more than I would at home.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, it is unnecessarily complicated, so don't put it off.
Course Name/Rating:

La Veme Republique

Course Department: History/Political Science 400
Instructor: NA
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course was not too challenging. As long as you attended class and could understand/speak French it was actually quite easy. No field trips. Teacher was knowledgeable, prepared, and HILARIOUS. I participated in class about the same as I would in the U.S.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, it is unnecessarily complicated, so don't put it off.
Course Name/Rating:

Art moderne en France et à Aix en Provence

Course Department: Art History 400
Instructor: NA
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course met 2 hour/week. We mainly looked at pictured on a powerpoint and he would lecture for 2 hours with no break... Some days we could walk around Aix and talk about the art of doorways and fountains, which was really cool. I only took it for the credit.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, it is unnecessarily complicated, so don't put it off.