St Etienne, France Past Review
By Laura A (Art/French, Western Washington University) for
ISEP Exchange: Saint-Etienne - Exchange Program at Université Jean Monnet de Saint-Etienne
, I speak French at a much higher level, I met people from all over the world, and I got to travel as well. I would do the program again, but probably in a more lively city.
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. |
Classes at CILEC are super easy, lots of free time. Classes at the actual university are much more time consuming and more of an international experience. Don't expect teachers to be as open to students as they are in America. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Not very helpful overall at the pole international, and not very pleasant either. The ISEP advisor Berthlinde was the only real help at all, but she is only available once a week and doesn't provide much information unless asked, but she will answer all questions thoroughly. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
ISEP placed me at university residence, which I immediately disliked as it was situated at the top of a hill in a sketchy neighborhood. Don't expect the usual dorm experience, no one is very outgoing. Also, the agency is a pain to deal with. I moved into an apartment for my last 4 months, in the middle of the city and with a French roommate, and it didn't cost me much more. Definitely worth it. |
| * Food: |
Made my own for the most part, but its France so good ingredients are easy to find. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Its easy to get last minute appointments at the doctors, medication is cheaper, and there is a health policy in place, so overall a good system. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Some spoke English, and at the pole international almost everyone did, including the other exchange program students. Taking main course classes really helped with improvement. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Saint Etienne isn't the most beautiful city in France, but its a lot of fun if you get involved with groups and make friends. Lyon isn't too far if you want more of a big city feel! And be patient and thorough when dealing with the French administration- keep all papers! |
