Eat well, Drink well, Study well! Past Review
By A student (Near Eastern Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/16/2017 to 07/29/2017 with
IES Abroad: Arles Summer – Study in Provence
My confidence in the french language. Friendships, both American and local.
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 |
Staff was very friendly, always treated students with much respect. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family was very pleasant. However, six weeks can be a long time to live in someone else's house as a guest/ host son or daughter. |
| * Food: |
French food is phenomenal. However, it takes some adjusting to. Expect to eat dinner no earlier than 8 p.m. and smaller portion sizes than we are accustomed to here in the states. The program provides 3 free "language" lunches Mon-Wed, and the host family provides 3 dinners a week. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Arles is a smaller city with plenty of things to do. There are several different festivals that take place during the 6 weeks accompanied by live music. There is an Irish Pub on the main boulevard that you will become your second home. Never felt unsafe during my stay in Arles. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The french will talk your ears off about how great their healthcare system is. Don't bring up "Repeal and Replace" when talking to a french person. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
You can't beat 6 weeks in southern France. You just can't. Arles is the perfect city. Not too many distractions during the week, yet centrally located. Montpellier, Nimes, the beach are all within reach. My french improved tremendously. |
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) |
A night out in Arles is way cheaper than a night out in Boston. A good local drink I would highly recommend is "Pastis". Very cheap but very tasty and refreshing, very special to southern France. Food can be pricy, especially in the "Place du Forum" but places off the beaten path can be more affordable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When at the bars, order Pastis. It is less expensive than beer and a lot tastier. There are a few Kebab places around town that are very affordable. |
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 |
You are expected to speak french when in country. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Lived in Belgium for 10 years when I was little. |
| 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? | Just speak french. Don't be one of those kids that will only speak french in class and at the lunches. You are cheating yourself, your class mates, and your parents ($$) by not immersing yourself in the language. Don't be a coward in class... A lot of Ivy Leaguers and Northwestern students but rarely contributed during discussions. Very smart kids but were afraid to speak up. Don't be like that!! |
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? | Don't be intimidated by all the Ivy League and other big name schools. ] The level of french is not overwhelming, just be confident and just SPEAK!! Contribute in class for everyone's sake! |
