Everything I was Looking For Past Review
By Molly J (Political Science and Government, Illinois Wesleyan University) - abroad from 01/06/2016 to 05/06/2016 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
I gained a new perspective and I really learned what it is like to live and thrive in another country. I learned about a new culture and a new language and I feel like I now have a second home. It was 100% worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
Always helpful, kind, and encouraging |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The IES Nantes office does an excellent job of matching students with families, but if problems do come up they are very willing to help f |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never personally needed healthcare, but I feel confident that if I had needed assistance with it the staff at the center would have been able to help me |
| * Safety: |
Overall I felt that Nantes was very safe. Protests are very common in France, however, and do occur in Nantes quite often. They can sometimes turn destructive so it is something to be aware of, but very easy to avoid and I never felt unsafe because of them. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I don't think I could have asked for more in a program. Everything from my family to my classes was what I hoped for and made my overall experience that much better. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buying groceries and making my own lunch every day saved a lot of money, rather than going out for food or buying pre-made food |
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 |
The program encouraged us to use French 100% of the time, at home, in the center, and with the locals. |
| 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? | 304 |
| 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? | Force yourself to ask questions when you don't understand something. Sometimes it's easy to sit and nod your head when you get lost, but if you're an active learner and you make an effort to get better everyday you will be so amazed at the progress you make. |
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? | I wish I had known more about the typical wardrobe in Nantes because I really made an effort to dress with the intention of blending in, and I didn't necessarily bring all of the right clothes. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
