An Unforgettable Semester Past Review
By Shanna Harvey (Ohio State University - Columbus) - abroad from 08/28/2019 to 12/16/2019 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
I gained lifelong connections, a better understanding of France and the greater world, my language skills improved, I participated in a teaching internship, and I was able to travel to different French cities all the while. It was definitely worthwhile!
Review Photos
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. |
Including excursions, connections with the local university, and classes on-site, the IES Abroad Nantes program is an excellent choice for those studying French! I was able to participate in a semester-long teaching internship at a middle school in the area, an experience that has helped me immensely as I study and prepare to become a teacher. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There are different staff members to help with different aspects of your time as a student in Nantes, such as housing, finances, health, academics, etc. and everyone is very helpful and welcoming. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great, but other students who had difficulty with their host families were able to talk with Eugenie who was able to come up with solutions for those students! |
| * Food: |
Cooking demonstrations and ample pantry/fridge space in the kitchen, along with breakfast and dinner five times a week with your host family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were many scheduled and spontaneous events, often hosted by a few students from the local university who were often available to talk to at the center and via text! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was very easily accessible; Cindy helped the students in my program quite a bit with different health issues and was available to talk to and give advice. She also helped me with vocabulary when I didn't know what to ask for at the pharmacy! |
| * Safety: |
We were given safety tips at the beginning of the semester and were updated when public transportation was compromised due to strikes, which was very helpful. Nantes overall is a safe city! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
There was honestly nothing about this program that I would change; it was the perfect fit forme, and I highly recommend this program! |
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) |
Definitely budget beforehand and account for expenses from eating out. Many students, including myself, limited dining and chose to shop at stores like Monoprix and Carrefour so we could make our own lunches/snacks! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
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 |
We were required to speak French when in the center and on educational trips so we could practice our language skills! |
| 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? | 3401 |
| 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? | Force yourself to speak the language, even when with other Americans! Just remember: what you get out of the program depends on what you put into it. |
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 cannot stress this enough: PACK LIGHTLY. I must've read this tip a hundred times before leaving, yet I still managed to over pack. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
