A life changing experience that I will never forget Past Review
By A student (Geography and French, Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 01/05/2014 to 05/24/2014 with
CIEE: Rennes - Liberal Arts
I learned how to travel and how to navigate a new city with only a paper map. I learned about myself and how I could adapt to new surroundings and a new language. I learned a lot about French culture and about some stereotypes that are right and some that are wrong, but most importantly to never make assumptions about a group of people without having a first hand experience. It was definitely worthwhile and I would recommend studying abroad to anyone.
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was not what I had hoped for; she seemed to be involved in the program only to benefit herself and she did not seem at all interested in American culture. |
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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 only had a cold, but I contacted the CIEE directors and they got me a doctor's appointment the next day. One of them accompanied me to the doctor's office and prepared me for some of the French vocabulary I might not know. I received a prescription from the doctor and was able to go right next door to the pharmacy and pick it up. My symptoms cleared within a few days and I spent much less money than I would have for cold medicine in the United States. |
| * Safety: |
The city felt very safe, and I never had a problem walking home at night. There was the occasional student riot and a few of my peers' Iphones were stolen, but nothing more than that. |
| 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) |
During the week it was easy to get by on a student's budget, but when there was any vacation time the program did not provide meals or lunch money so that was when it became difficult, especially when travelling to other places. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | In a normal week about $50- $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you want to travel with a large or small group definitely use the site Airbnb from which you can rent people's homes for much less than the cheapest hostel. |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | French 140 |
| 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? | Watch as many French movies as you can, even if they have English subtitles to start. And definitely try to read French books or newspaper articles. |
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? | I wish I knew not to worry about money so much because the time there is limited and it is best to make the most out of it. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
