Amazing - Wouldn't have done it differently Past Review
By paige.satori (French, SUNY - Buffalo) - abroad from 01/03/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
SUNY Geneseo: Montpellier - Universite Paul Valery - Montpellier III
I learned loads about myself, the world, and others. It was such an incredible experience. It's more than worthwhile - I would definitely recommend it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The French system is much different from the US system, and UPV is known to be one of the worst liberal arts schools in France (I learned this after I got there), so the course work was really not that difficult. The libraries were small but had all the books I needed. Very little homework - most classes were only one final exam. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
No on-site administration from SUNY Geneseo. They are affiliated with the on-site coordinates for the Programs of the Anglophone World Office, but this office deals with several universities and so is not very individualized or welcoming. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Was placed with a wonderful French man. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Integration is really really hard!! Especially with the language barrier! It takes a ton of hard work and amazing amounts of patience.But it's entirely worth it, and if you work, you will feel more comfortable in time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
But you have to keep in mind you're living in a city - there would be safety issues anyways, and this is outside of the program's help. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | a lot |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | don't buy crepes everyday. |
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? | 300 level French literature and culture |
| 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 NATIVES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. it's easy to just talk to other americans - you have to be ambitious and outgoing! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | That there are no on-site directors. |
