Aix: A Higher Standard For A Higher Understanding Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I wasn't enrolled directly in a French university but the education system was not the same as the American system. The teaching methods were similar; lectures, in-class exercises, homework consisting of exercises, reading and/or written work. The grading differed depending on the teacher and the testing style. For grammar the tests were more open-ended than I was used to. For my sociology-literature class the writing style was different in that it was more rigidly structured and the use of voice or personal opinion was discouraged.

On-site administration of your program

I learned a lot and made great progress with my understanding of French culture and language but it came at a cost. I had a lot of school work even to the point that I had very little time to travel or just have free time to myself where I wasn't studying all the time. It became very stressful at times and my main wish would be to have had more freedom to do what I wanted on my own time.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartment where I lived with my host mother was about twenty to thirty minutes away from my school and the main area of the town by bus. My host mother was great. She was very welcoming and understanding and she provided me with everything I needed domestically.

My advice would be to make the time to eat with you host family, especially dinner. It is one of the best ways to get to know them and learn about their culture as well as it being a great way for you to feel apart of the family.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were some field trips on the weekends and I was required to volunteer and get involved with a club. The most successful of the social aspects of the program was the language partner. We talked in English and French and it was casual, usually we went to a bar or a cafe and just talked.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't really have any problems with health care or safety while I was there. I did have a doctor's visit because after living in France for more than ninety days the Department of Immigration requires you to get a physical. It was slightly annoying since I had to go to Marseille, which was 30 minutes away by bus, and I had to pay fifty-five euro for a chest x-ray to check for TB.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I signed a contract with my program to only speak in French whether at school or with my host family or most any place else. Exceptions to this were contacting family and friends on the internet and the like.

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• Host Family
• Apartment

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• Host Family

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• Americans