Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., The College of William and Mary) for

Sciences Po Lille: Lille - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worth-wile definitely. It wasn't so much the school of the program that made it worth-while but the being totally independent really induces a lot or personal growth. Once you realize you're capable of doing things on your own you feel so proud. You'll really meet people from all over the world. I really gained an understanding of how hindering it can be not to speak a language and how much courage those who don't speak English fluently have to have to go out and do the simplest, every-day things. everything is a challenge, all of the things that I used to take for granted. I definitely gained a new perspective and a new respect for those who don't speak English really well. It can be so frustrating. I learned a lot. But i think the most important thing that I got from the program is the confident in my ability that I didn't have before. I could have more confidence but I'd never have this much if it weren't for this experience. Its also opened my mind up to a future abroad, i think its something I'd really love to do. This experience gave me the tools to make it possible to come back after graduation if i wanted to. Lille has its own charm, but if i had had the choice i would have chosen Paris, its amazing. Lille is all right but nothing can top Paris (even those those people are quite rude).

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month
The term and year this program took place: Spring 2010

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There is barely any homework or assignments. But it gets difficult at the end of the semester when you take your exams which are 100% of your final grade. The schools regular professors aren't really interested or helpful with the internstional students but the classes that are especially for foreign students have teachers that are very helpful and accomodating.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The "administration" consisted of one guy, Guillaume DuSeigneur and he was so helpful, so approachable and so funny. No one else really bothers with you but he really took care of us with things ranging from visa problems all the way to dates of final exams. Hes really knowledgeable about the misconseptions that Americans come with and good at explaining the difference between the 2 systems. The program has a lot of international students, and the French students arent that welcoming but as far as administration, its great.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I rented a room in a house

* Food:

It was nice to be independent and cook all the food I loved.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

All the international students were really nice and since theres no homework theres always time to go out and have fun. You also have a lot of say in picking out your schedule so you can easily choose all late classes. There's always a party going on somewhere and plenty of bars, restaurants, clubs and stuff to do in terms of night life. Its hard to make local friends though. It takes a big effort.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

There are bad areas (Wazemmes, Gambetta) and unsafe things happen in those areas but it really depends on the area. Vielle Lille, Centre ville were some safe areas. The area near the school actually isn't that nice of an area at all. You woudln't want to be there at night but its totally fine during the days. I didn't really deal with healthcare issues. Just make sure you have a translated birth certificate if you chose SMENO service.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Everything is expensive. Even the McDonalds. Carrefour is one of the cheapest places to buy food. You can also get a metro ticket pass for the month but the metro really isnt necessary. Going out to bars and stuff can be expensive especially in touristy areas. Beer is the cheapest thing (sometimes 2 euros)

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
Language acquisition improvement?

My listening comprehension improved tremendously because of attending all of my courses in French. That is something I really recommend. But outside of the classroom, all of the international students all spoke English amongst themselves. And since i wasn't required to participate in class unless I had a question for the teacher (almost taboo), I wasn't required to speak French unless i was speaking to my neighbors or going to the grocery store or speaking with one of the few students that didn't already speak English.

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

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Its not the most beautiful town but its got its own charm and history and the older parts have really beautiful Flemish architecture. The friends you make her you'll keep for life. The international students are so nice.The school really doesn't hold you hand at all, you're really on your own but its a good experience. Don't be too shy to speak french at every opportunity and if you can, purposely put yourself in situations where you have to rely on your language skills. Thats the only way youll really grow.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Institutions Politiques Comparées

Course Department:
Instructor: Guillaume DUSEIGNEUR
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The class is very fun and relazed but informative. The teacher, Guillaume DuSeigneur, is actually the international student coordinator and very helpful (and speaks so many languages). The final is 100% of the grade but apart from that, there are only presentations that don't count towards your grade and are very relaxed.
Credit Transfer Issues: I havent returned yet
Course Name/Rating:

French Political Institutions

Course Department:
Instructor: GHILLEBAERT
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The final exam is very specific and include questions on some of his personal anecdotes and hypothetical scenarios. The second part of the final exam is an essay. He rambles a lot and sometimes what he talks about doesn't seem relevant at all but as he informed us at the end of the course, we would be tested on his seemingly-random ramblings too. The class was informative at times and helped to break down the French political system into something more understandable.The teacher is very animated but sometimes very boring. There was no class participation, there rarely is in French courses.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Communication et Médias

Course Department:
Instructor: M. Dominique BESSIERES
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Very boring. VERY boring. The teacher is not interesting at all and not very helpful with questions either. When I took the class I was one of 2 exchange students. The class isn't very foreign-student friendly even though he speaks very slowly. He only reads off of papers for the entire class. No one participated, which is normal. The teacher is very uptight, it seems.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Villes et Projects

Course Department:
Instructor: Didier PARIS
Instruction Language: French
Comments: We hardly met but when we did the professors were nice. The foreign students were allowed to do different final projects on a related subject of our choosing.There are some pretty interesting field trips to the train station and to see the tramway, etc. The course I think is very doable for foreign students. Only downside is its one of the handful that meet for 8 hours for a few weeks and ends very early.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Histoire

Course Department:
Instructor: Matthieu DE OLIVEIRA
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The teacher is really funny and and approachable. He has a good relationship with the students. The class is one of the larger ones but even though I was also one of 3 foreign students he was very easy to talk to. I think this class was most like my lectures in the USA than any of the courses I've taken in France.I also think this course will transfer well. The final exam is an oral one but its supposed to be very laid-back and nothing to worry about.
Credit Transfer Issues: