An incredible opportunity to live in french Past Review
By AAndrus (Sociology., Whitman College) - abroad from 09/03/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
I gained so much independence and self confidence, it was absolutely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There were several very stressful weeks when I had midterms and essays due. Otherwise it was not difficult. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff were friendly and helpful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely loved my host family and we still communicate. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The staff encouraged us to get involved and get to know the city well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Many people on my program were sick a lot of the time, so the program often helped us find doctors. |
| * Safety: |
If you are smart, you should not have a problem. I never felt terribly uncomfortable walking home from the bus stop late at night, but my good friend did have her phone pick-pocketed |
| 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) |
France is rather expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably around 40 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out a lot, it tends to add up quickly. Buy a carte jeune at the beginning of the semester at the boutique SNCF, it will save you money on train tickets. |
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 |
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| 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? | 300 Level |
| 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? | Watch movies in the language that you want to work on with the subtitles in that language. |
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? | You should make your weekend travel plans at the beginning of the semester, because towards the end you tend to have essays and tests, and less time to travel. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
