Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

CEA: Grenoble, France Past Review

By (Global Development Studies, Seattle Pacific University) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Alps, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
HELL YES!

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Université Stendhal Grenoble 3
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Superb! Incredible experience!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Patrick was incredible. He was knowledgeable, accessible, dependable, and SO MUCH FUN! He did such an incredible job of helping us acclimate to the new culture and navigate everything from class schedules, to community events, grocery stores, trips, and cross-cultural relationships.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Unfortunately, my host family did not treat me very well. They were very critical and suspicious and seemed to only host students for the sake of the extra income.

* Food:

My host family's strict rules made it difficult to eat at home, forcing me to eat out a lot (which got very expensive)

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program director (Patrick) did a superb job of coordinating trips and events and greatly helped us navigate the city and culture. He became our friend and mentor.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Compared to anywhere I've lived in the USA, Grenoble was INCREDIBLY safe. Yes, my phone and wallet got stolen a couple times... but that was my own dang fault (I was drunk and left them unattended for hours on end at a bar). Suggestions to future students: if you are going to go out partying, make sure you are going with someone trustworthy -- who will look out for you and help you home if you have one too many drinks.

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

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The community resources that the director connected me to.
  • Trips!
* What could be improved?
  • Better screening of host families.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Go abroad. Don't just hang out with other exchange students, make friends with local students. Take risks, but be careful. Be curious! You are there to learn. Ask questions. Try your best to learn all that you can about the language and cultural idiosyncrasies of your host country. Have Fun!!