FranceLang in Nice is a terrible school Past Review

By (Communication Studies, French, Spanish, New Mexico State University) for

NRCSA: Nice - French Language Institute

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying in France provided me with several experiences, some blindsided me and some just came over time. I developed a quick disgust for how many overweight people the USA has and how uncultured we can be. I learned much about myself. I learned how to seize the day all over again and have some fun. I learned that I can appreciate art and that I am a lot more interested in History than I first would have thought. Being able to communicate with more people is an opportunity unlike anything else. We all really have a lot more in common they we do have in difference.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

FranceLang in Nice is a terrible school. Don't go there. I loved the south of France and actually prefer it to the North. I believe that FranceLang Paris was by far a better school than Nice. I don't believe that any of the administrators or teachers really cared about my progress. I was tossed into a class that was too advanced for me even after this was demonstrated in a placement tests after ever week.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It did not seem that there was any planning involved for instruction. I believe I had a weak teacher and she could not control the classroom, which was filled with globetrotters. The setting was more social and that is a plus, however, when it came to actually learning french I just wish they provided more guidance on where to start after the placement test.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was more helpful that my school.

* Food:

It took a while to get use to their nutrition which is smaller than what I was use to in the USA. I would recommend that you have dinner provided by the hose family.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is imposible to go bored in France. There are tons of museums. I spent my time at the beach in the south of France and in the Museums in Paris. Research what is going on for the French. For example, I was there during their celebration of the 3rd Republic and the France Vs Ireland Soccer Game.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I was not worried about my health or 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I used American Banking Services which limited a lot of what I could do. For example, I was charged a lot to withdraw money and hand minimum purchase amounts in many of the boulangeries that I went to.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

I believe that my language skills improved in Paris after I left the language school in Nice.

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Brush up on your French before you go and prepare to study after school if you want to get the most out of your program.