Mixed Feelings Past Review
By Taylor R (Geography and Cartography., Western Washington University) for
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Yes, in that I learned a lot about myself and became more independent and self-confident. I also got an International Studies and French minor out of it. I still love travel and learning about the world, I just have learned that I wouldn't do a study-abroad program again, more likely an internship or just general travel.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics are definitely not the main focus of a study abroad experience. I would be happy if travel and learning about the culture played an equally important role with academics but it seems that it is actually just about getting as drunk as you can every night all semester. This is disappointing, and more a problem with the students than with the university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It would be better if IAU had a counselor type person. Most students did not feel comfortable going to Yamina with their issues. Therefore, many students who had medical problems/emotional problems/etc did not get help for them because they were intimidated and didn't want to talk to her about them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was nice, but I was treated as someone renting the room from them. And it was a tiny, cupboard sized room at that which I had to share with another student. I didn't feel very involved or welcomed and I was mainly there just to pay them an overpriced monthly rent. I don't think the program should allow this host family to host two students. And I'm not saying this as an American who is used to Costco-sized living spaces; this apartment was too small for five people to live in. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe 100% of the time. In the beginning I did a lot of travel by myself and I felt comfortable always, in France, Spain, and Portugal. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Host family only spoke French and also used French when talking to locals/businesses etc. However, most people responded in English if they realized you could speak it. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Study abroad is always a valuable experience and I recommend it. There are many things I lvoed about this experience, however there were many things that disappointed me as well. If I had to do it again, I would have chosen a program in a different country, perhaps somewhere in South America or Asia, where things were cheaper and there was more of a focus on academics. I feel as though most kids paid thousands of dollars to come to Europe to pay thousands of dollars for alcohol and not remembering half the time they were there. I don't understand the point. |
