Amazing! Past Review
By emily.rothkin (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/10/2014 to 05/31/2014 with
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It was worthwhile I learned so much-- not just for the language and the culture, but about independence and the like.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sweet Briar was very well structured and well prepared and always willing to help students with any questions that arose. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family which allowed me to learn a lot about French culture as well as always have someone to ask questions (how to use the metro, where the best place was to get a haircut, etc.) |
| * Food: |
Too good! My host family made dinner every night which was always lovely, and the boulangeries around Paris are always delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My own French skills were a little lacking, but because of dinners with the host family and the fact you enroll in actual French universities you have a lot of opportunity to integrate yourself if you wish. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Luckily this wasn't a problem for me, so I can't really speak from experience-- you do get health insurance through Sweet Briar. |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | at least five euros a day for lunch; the rest depends on yourself |
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 |
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| 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? | French 210 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? |
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? | Be willing to try new things-- take risks! They'll pay off, or make great stories! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
