Bien fait! Past Review
By Gina M (Illinois State University) - abroad from 05/14/2012 to 06/16/2012 with
Laval University: Quebec City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was worthwhile - I learned about different cultures, I learned to be exactly who you are, and to go for the things you want.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved my classes at Laval. The teachers were so welcoming and helpful - they truly understand you are trying to learn another language and how difficult that can be. I would recommend for the placement exam before hand, that you don't use any outside resources (friends/family members, dictionaries). There were a couple students who did and they were lost/placed in the wrong classes. Be yourself and don't be afraid to make mistakes! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very helpful and welcoming. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The downside of Laval is that the dorms are kind of old and there is no air conditioning. The upside is you get your own room! |
| * Food: |
Although the food was different, it was very healthy. There are too main dining halls on the campus and there are kitchens to cook in at the dorms. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Some locals spoke english, most spoke french. I would recommend trying your hardest to speak french even if you think you are bad. Most locals appreciate the fact that you are trying. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any while I was there, but they address health issues the first week. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. The campus police come and talk to you about safety on campus early in the program. But, like any other campus, you still have to be aware of your surroundings. There were many different cultures on campus/living in the dorms, which means culture differences in all aspects. Make friends, but keep your guard up just enough as well. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The cost of food was more expensive than what I am used to. They provided a small fridge in your room (at a $60 fee) so you could keep your own groceries, so that was nice. |
| * 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? | give or take $200 for everything per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much as you can before hand. Don't eat out only if it's a special dinner, and I wouldn't recommend shopping for clothes, etc while there - you can shop for that stuff at home! |
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 |
They encouraged it 100% of the time. We would get "yellow" cards and "red" cards if they heard us using english. As long as we were trying to speak french the whole time they were happy. |
| 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? | 300 level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | To save as much money as possible and to not be shy! Dive right in!! |
