Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Choice I've Ever Made!!!! Past Review

By (Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Management, New Mexico State University) - abroad from 01/04/2012 to 04/28/2012 with

La Rochelle Business School: La Rochelle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and my appreciation for everything I had back home. It was a great opportunity for me to reflect on everything. It was absolutely worthwhile. I loved having the time abroad to grow as a person.

Review Photos

La Rochelle Business School: La Rochelle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo La Rochelle Business School: La Rochelle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo La Rochelle Business School: La Rochelle - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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:

You can't go wrong with food in France!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My host mom helped me with getting to the doctor when I wasn't feeling well. The healthcare system is so different than that of the United States. When I did go to the doctor it was like a persons home, not a hospital.

* Safety:

I felt really safe in La Rochelle. Even when I was walking late at night, I never felt in Danger.

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I probably spent anywhere from 45-100 Euro a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just prepare yourself financially for incidentals and traveling that you would like to do while you're abroad. I found that I spend the most money on things like traveling or gym memberships. WRITE all your spending down, that way its easier to keep track of.

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

My french teacher was awesome!! She really encouraged all of the foreign students to try and speak the language. She was very patient and helpful.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None, my classes were taught in English.
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? I would say to branch out and try and make friends with the local students. My biggest problem was that I just found it easier to be friends with the Americans because there was no language barrier. If I had just tried harder to learn the language, I would of been fluent by the time I left.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • I loved living in a foreign country.
  • The school did give their local students some pretty interesting experience opportunities.
  • I was fortunate to improve my second language skills.
* What could be improved?
  • The classes need to be more organized.
  • Require more hands on work/homework for the students.
  • The administration needs to be more accessible to students. I found when I needed to talk to someone they were impossible to get ahold of.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would of known how the school was going to be. I have been to France before so I knew what to expect there, but the schooling was just a big disappointment.