Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Aixcellent Past Review

By (Eastern Kentucky University) - abroad from 01/25/2016 to 05/15/2016 with

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Semester at Aix-en-Provence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained cultural and language experience as well as international relation experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very Different style of education in France. It wasn't homework nor project based rather, Attend classes, a few small assignments, big mid-term and final exam worth a considerable amount of your grade.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very easy to communicate with the school's administration. They were very helpful to accommodate any needs a student may have had.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The host family was paid well to let my roommate and I live with them. Yet they kept the food selection to a minimal. Our host father smoked a pipe throughout the day making it difficult to really interact with them and move about the house. Mainly stayed at the house and there were several disagreements about laundry and only doing one load a week.

* Food:

The meals prepared by our Host were excellent for the most part, although she would get offended if we did not like what she was having. The food outside of the host home, was excellent.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Took advantage of talking with locals and interacting with them on a daily basis. There are some people who were very rude while others were quite pleasant.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had something wrong with my toe, went to the doctor, blood work and everything for around $60

* Safety:

After 2am, take a cab unless within 5-10 min walking distance of the city center. I was actually mugged walking home around 3am one morning.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Of course, although I was there for 4 months there was still so much to see. So many roads to go down. So much more of Europe to visit and explore.

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)

Depends on the person. Average cost of a good lunch (which you must provide everyday) $6-20 depending on if you want junk or good cuisine.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? more than $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan ahead, have money saved for expenses. $1000 a month for food entertainment and shopping. Buy items for lunch and make your own lunches.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I was in all French courses.

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 370
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? To be open minded, attempt to make an effort. You're not going to speak perfectly, you will make mistakes and you will have an accent. Welcome to what a lot of people in America face.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • The food
  • The language
  • The Location
* What could be improved?
  • Better picking of host families
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be prepared to study on your own. Class lectures are about all you get before your exams which are cumulative.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

French Linguistics

Course Department: French
Instructor: Muriel Cros
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Very Challenging, not in the sense of work but the content materials were very precise and specific. Outside research was required to better understand material. 2 projects, Class participation and 2 exams were the assessments. The instructor was very very knowledgeable and was able to help with any questions one may have had.
Credit Transfer Issues: