Paris and Nice on a budget! Past Review
By Alana N (French, Millsaps College) - abroad from 05/31/2016 to 06/28/2015 with
Millsaps College: Summer 2015 Faculty-led Programs
Every second was worth every penny. It's worth the financial investment.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The in class experience was difficult, but very rewarding. The actual class time and work load wasn't overwhelming. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The women were encouraging and very helpful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was perfect, and the living arrangements were great! |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end of the trip I knew the city, and even knew a few people I would say hello to every morning on my walk to school! |
|
* 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? |
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 could have spent a lot of money if I had wanted to, but there were very affordable options for food, experiences. I would set aside a certain amount of money for food only and a certain amount for experiences only, and stick to that! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Decide where you want to spend your money, and only spend it in that category, food, experiences, souvenirs, etc. |
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 |
our classes were in French only. |
| 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? | I had completed 3 semesters of college French |
| 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? | Talk to your host family. Don't let yourself default to English, it will only hurt in the long run. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had set aside more money for experiences. I budgeted really well for food, and made the most of the free art museums and natural attractions, but it would have been nice to be able to afford some travel trips. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
