Awesome experience if you're capable of going with the flow Past Review
By Lyndsey J (French Language, Université du Maine / University of Maine) - abroad from 09/09/2013 to 05/10/2014 with
University of Angers: Angers - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned so much about myself and other cultures. It was worthwhile for sure. My language skills improved a lot once I learned to insist on speaking French.
Review Photos
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in the dorms the first half of the year. Great for meeting people and forming bonds, but not so good for learning French as you're living with mostly international students. Second semester I got my own apartment in the city center. It was less expensive, I felt more involved in the culture, and lived with two French speakers. Really helped improve my French. Warning* the landlords will rip you off, especially if you're foreign, so don't expect your deposit back in full.. if at all. |
| * Food: |
Never dined at University dining hall. Didn't hear great things. I'd recommend bringing your own lunches or grabbing something to eat at the Super U, they have lots of inexpensive packaged sandwiches and salads that are fresh every day. Lots of French students did this. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I only felt integrated with the local culture once I moved into an apartment with a French student. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No problems. They have everything at the pharmacy. |
| * Safety: |
Most common thing I heard about was bikes being stolen or minor theft. |
| 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) |
You end up spending a lot more money than you think you will. The exchange rate will always haunt you. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 75-100 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy too much at once, or your groceries will end up going bad. Especially if you live in the dorms, the mini-fridge is tiny... get used to going to the store every day and only buying what you need. Also, don't go crazy buying things like skippy peanut butter, which are insanely expensive for the smallest jar you'll ever see... or any American brands for that matter. Trust me, they'll still be there when you get back to the US. Try something different. Buy a monthly or semester long bus pass. Or the city of Angers provides free bikes to students. Pack less, you'll end up buying clothes at H&M over the course of the year/semester anyways. Fashion is very different. |
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? | 400 |
| 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? | Insist on speaking French. A lot of people will be excited to practice their English, but if you don't establish "language boundaries" right off, you're in trouble. |
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
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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? | I wish I would have known that the student "budget" outlined was underestimated. I went through periods of being really stressed about money. Don't go unless you're financially comfortable or really good with self monitoring/ budgeting. |
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.' |
