A New Perspective: Life in the south of France Past Review

By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/18/2018 to 07/28/2018 with

IES Abroad: Arles Summer – Study in Provence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a lot about a new side of French culture, one that people do not normally see. Living in the south of France is monumentally different from living in the west, from living in the north, and especially from living in Paris. This program really allowed me to see just how diverse France and French culture is.

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.	The program classes were very intense because they were taught completely in French, but they really helped improve my proficiency and comfort with the language and I loved both of my professors.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I absolutely loved my host family and they contributed a great deal to my French-speaking ability.
* Food:	A little too much bread but other than that, delicious!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I was taken to see a local doctor during the summer when I had a cold that had been with me for a couple months. She prescribed antibiotics that cleared everything up in just a few days, it was fantastic!
* Safety:	Very safe little city
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes The reason I chose to study abroad in Arles was because I knew it was a smaller city and I wanted the most authentically French experience possible. I would have had a much different experience had I chosen to go to Paris, by contrast, and I do not know if that would have ultimately improved my proficiency in French. This program really allowed me to become comfortable with the language and practice it at all times of the day.

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)	It wasn't too difficult but travel expenses certainly added up over time.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	About $120 per week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Don't forget that you lose a lot of American money due to the exchange rate, that can definitely make a difference.

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	We were not allowed to speak in English at any point.
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 154: Regards vers la Chine
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?	Talk with your host family if you have one! With other students, it's too tempting to slip into English so if you really want to practice the language, the accent, and learn about the culture, converse as frequently as you can with your host family.

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	Americans
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?	My host family My classes The food
* What could be improved?	Orientation Offer water at the IES center
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew just how hot it was going to be in Arles during the summer and that AC is practically non-existent and that French people don't drink enough water during the day.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	19th Century Art: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
Course Department:	Art History
Instructor:	Coralie Bernard
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	The professor of this course was extremely knowledgeable about this subject and was eager to help students learn as well. She was very kind, taught at a good pace and stopped to clarify any concepts we did not understand. The class took a field trip to the Fondation de Vincent van Gogh in Arles and we all enjoyed and shared about the experience. It was much more interactive than my usual classes at my home university.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No trouble