Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My name is Alice. I have returned from Wonderland! Past Review

By (Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne / IPFW) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 05/31/2016 with

ISEP Exchange: Besancon - Exchange Program at Université de Franche-Comté

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
That people in small towns can be insular and hostile, and that not all of France is as delightful as Paris.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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? No

I was in a hostile unfriendly society but a beautiful small town.

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)

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

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
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My ability to travel easily to the rest of France and surrounding countries.
  • My courses were interesting
* What could be improved?
  • Better towns and better housing should be on the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the people in Besançon were as primitive and unfriendly, that it rained so much and was always so cold, that there was no excitement in the town and the French people strike without limits.