Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

WHEN IN FRANCE...! Past Review

By (agriculture communications, Illinois State University) - abroad from 05/28/2013 to 06/28/2013 with

L’Ecole Superieure d’Agriculture (ESA): Angers - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definately worthwhile. I am telling ALL of my friends from school and home to do it. Spend at least two weeks in another country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

it wasn't super challenging, but it was very interesting. I felt as if it was very biased, EVERY farm we visited was sustainable, so of corse it was to make french agriculture look superior to american. If we showed sustainable american agriculture we would look good, way better than the media perceives us. American agriculture is actually very good.

* 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?

My host mother was trying to speak english, so i thought that my french-speaking skills did not improve a lot. Also, it could be fun if other french students were with us throughout the experience.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health problems..

* Safety:

i felt super safe in angers! i never felt danger, even alone late at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

I really did not NEED to buy anything; however going to bars was a big part of the culture and my time, so it could potentially be pricey if you are not careful, as in the states.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? less than 100 euros, but that is more in USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? PAY ATTENTION TO EURO/DOLLAR CONVERSIONS! $5 for a drink/meal is actually like 7-8.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 4 years in highschool, honors french student
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? if you know nothing, read guidebooks for common phrases, that is what people who didnt speak it at all told me helped them...

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • meeting friends
  • the food, host families preparing food for us
  • being in another country! speaking french with real french speakers!
* What could be improved?
  • very biased against american agriculture
  • some of the professors spoke with very broken english, and it could have been a lot more interesting if it wasn't so slow paced
  • the school days were long
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? not sure.

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 Urbanite
A 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.