Great Experience in France with Other Americans Past Review
By Claire B (Fordham University) - abroad from 01/02/2013 to 04/28/2013 with
Syracuse University: Strasbourg - Syracuse University in Strasbourg
I learned that I don't know how to manage my finances...I am coming back with a negative balance in my bank account.... Overall I became a more independent person, I can plan trips on my own, choose courses without my an advisor holding my hand, and make friends more easily.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an amazing home stay that made me feel welcome from the moment that I arrived. |
| * Food: |
Breakfast was provided to me 7 days a week and I had 5 home cooked dinners each week...I gained weight from all the amazing food that I ate in Strasbourg. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated with my homestay but because my classes were only with American students I never met any French people my age...even students who took classes in the French university complained that it was difficult to meet locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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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) |
Everyone says that studying abroad is expensive but I was not prepared for this....TELL STUDENTS TO SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | at least $100 a week and that was not including trips... |
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 |
Staying with a homestay helped but while we were at the center no one spoke in French unless it was during class. |
| 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? | upper level French courses |
| 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? | stay with a host family and interact with them beyond just dinner conversations |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | how expensive living on your own truly is it is not really easy to make friends with the locals |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
