Amazing cultural immersion and highlight of my summer Past Review

By (Northwestern 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?
language skills and local cutlure. Definitly worthwhile!

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Arles - Arles Summer with IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Arles - Arles Summer with IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Arles - Arles Summer with IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Arles - Arles Summer with IES Abroad Photo

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.

passionate professors!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I am still in touch with my host family in Arles, they were super welcoming and willing to tell me everything about Arles and France!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Arles is small but definitely a tight-knit community

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

The program was exactly what I have expected and the teachers and my classmates were also all amazing and talented.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It'd be a great idea to plan how much money you would like to spend each week and keep track of all of your receipts and enter them into an excel sheet.

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 love how the director of the program encouraged us to speak french all the time.

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? 303 Advanced French Conversation
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? not to be afraid to say something wrong, people in Arles are super nice to help you correct; and try to not speak English with classmates.

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?
  • class schedule design
  • lunch with different teachers and locals
  • freedom during weekend to visit other French cities
* What could be improved?
  • longer excursions to other cities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The pre-departure brochure provided by IES was super helpful and I learned everything that I needed to know.

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!