Unforgettable Past Review
By A student (Austin College) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely worthwhile, I would not change a thing, both the good and the bad experiences helped me grow as a person, and the program was always at the heart of my life abroad.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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? |
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| * Food: |
Excellent Food, the bread, the cheese, and the wine are amazing! |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | from 30 to 40 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If at all possible, frequent the local fresh markets and street venders instead of going to restaurants and supermarkets. The quality of vegetables, fruits, meat etc are far better and cheeper. Plus you can get to know the locals better, strike up a conversation. It's more friendlier. |
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 |
It was forbidden to use English during our stay, no matter how hard it was, it helped us develop enormously, our French language skills. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate level, 200 level courses |
| 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? | No matter how hard and frustrating it may be, try and do avoid speaking English. Time is limited in your host country, to make the best out of your experience abroad, you must use integrate yourself in the host country, it's culture, and it's language. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Nothing, the program informed us very well beforehand |
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