The French Riviera-a way of life you'll never forget! Teaching students about culture and themselves Past Review
By Brittany S (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Riviera, France
My study abroad experience allowed me to consider a wider range of options, different types of people, and different types of experiences. Most importantly I learned a considerable amount of myself. Studying abroad allowed me to grow and reflect on myself as well, while learning in a new culture and atmosphere with new people. There is nothing like it coming home! For all these reasons I'll always miss my time abroad.
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. |
The French have a very different mind set on how to get things done, which made adjusting to school different. Classes only met once a week, but for three hours each so this was different, but it made for a lighter work load because most of the material was covered in class. The teaching methods were very similar as well as the grading system. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program support was incredible. The director was on sight, at school the first two weeks to answer any questions or concerns you had with classes. Furthermore she was available at her office in town during the day and was quick to respond to any issues, concerns or questions. The program size was good, it wasn't large but there were enough people , about 25, for students to meet a variety of people. the program offered a variety of trips and cultural emersion options for us to get to know the culture and area, while sharing the experiences with our American fellow students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My home stay was right in the center of town. A great location. |
| * Food: |
I had to purchase all my own food, being a student on budget I didn't expand my diet much. But the experience of having to shop in a foreign country led to some new eating habits and experimenting with different choices! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
CEA offered about 5 group trips. All of them were different and unique and I felt exposed us to a new part of the area or culture we hadn't had expose to yet. This was one of the best parts of the program! Although I still had plenty of time to make my own travel arrangements, when a CEA trip was scheduled, I knew I never wanted to miss it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Antibes. |
| 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I think this program would benefit and best serves students who are adventurous. CEA provided many wonderful experiences and times for me to meet new people through the program and by being enrolled in a French school. I was able to benefit more from exploring all the options the region had to offer and was able to do so with the support of the CEA staff on site. |
