Life in Nancy, France Past Review

By (Writing and Rhetoric, French, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 05/13/2012 with

University of Lorraine: Nancy - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Completely worthwhile. Learned how to be more outgoing, more confident in myself, able to stand up for myself. I learned a lot about world outside of the US.

Review Photos

Université de Lorraine / University of Lorraine: Nancy - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Université de Lorraine / University of Lorraine: Nancy - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Université de Lorraine / University of Lorraine: Nancy - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was in an advanced group, so we were expected to already know the basics of French, and mostly had debates and wrote essays in class. I really enjoyed it =) Would have liked to have class with French students as well, instead of a program of only international DEFLE students

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Had a lot of trouble dealing with the differences in administration in France vs. America. Things were definitely more complicated and less organized than I was used to, and I wasn't prepared for that aspect of Study Abroad

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in the lowest rate dorm room and found it sometimes hard to live with, but in general, problems and situations in the dorm were taken care of.

* Food:

Was on my own, so bought my own food. Can be more expensive at times, but found that I learned more about the culture that way.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I tried my hardest to get involved in the school and community and try to fit in with the locals. Most people were very accepting and tried to be patient. Had a few problems but not many.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Although it was a small town, my friends and I constantly had problems in Nancy with men in particular, and people following erasmus students.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Had trouble at first realizing how much money it costs to live in France.

* 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? 100-200 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? set aside specific budgets for trips. Know where you want to go, and research general costs before hand, and be sure to save an extra 300-400 for random trips you find along the way.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

constantly spoke in French in class-not allowed to speak native language.

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? French 303
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? Lots of listening activities, and don't be afraid to talk to people, or even go to public places when you get there and listen to the different conversations around you

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
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • the international students that I met
  • my opportunity to improve my French
  • the food and culture differences
* What could be improved?
  • communication between host school and home school
  • costs
  • option to take class with French students, not just DEFLE program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that even though every problem abroad may seem like the end of the world, situations are fixable.