Grenoble: Real French Culture Without Feeling Like a Tourist Past Review

By (English, French, Secondary Education, Illinois State University) for

Université Grenoble Alpes: Grenoble - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, this will really help me for my future goals of being a high school French teacher.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

workload was nice being really light to enjoy the everyday grenoble life, but some of my teachers were very bad and impossible to figure out what the class was really about. however, the cuef excursion supervisors were fantastic, and very available to answer any questions we had. i really enjoyed the opportunities that cuef provided for us international students, and we had a great time.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Unfortunately, I was hoping I would be with other international students in my classes, but instead I'm with mostly Americans so it does not feel like I am really studying with other students abroad (more like a class at ISU transplanted here). I do like the university, but there is no structure to the classes, even if they are only for a month, so it is hard to follow. My literature professor is fantastic, and really enjoys the subject which makes it interesting for me to be a part of.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms were in a great location to both the university and centreville.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I definitely spent most of my money on food, not souvenirs :(
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget for paying for meals every day, especially if you're living in the dorms.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? LAN 214.12, 235.12, 213.12, 209.12, 220.12
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

yes, my classes are primarily filled with americans, so pretty much everyone speaks in english when they get the chance. i have been speaking french mostly with french natives that i meet, or other international students that are not in my classes.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans