A wonderful study abroad in the south of France Past Review
By Amber S (French Language and Culture, Grand Valley State University) - abroad from 05/22/2016 to 06/27/2016 with
USAC France: Pau - French Language and European Studies
Language skills, unique vocabulary, phonetic gains, friends, food, fun
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. |
We had excellent and competent teachers that were kind and patient. I loved them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had excellent staff with USAC in Pau. They were understanding, helpful and thoughtful. They were always looking to do things in our best interest. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a host family in the center of the city. USAC put a lot of effort into matching students with their families. |
| * Food: |
I loved the food from my host family was well as in the south of France. It is fresh, affordable and delicious. My only complaint is that there is NO spicy food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was always walking around going to cafes and hanging out with students. I spoke with grocers, bakers and local friend students as much as possible. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
USAC provided our healthcare and showed us how to use it if we needed. They even took us to campus health and we met the staff and doctors. |
| * Safety: |
Pau is a very safe city. It was very easy to walk around and I never felt uncomfortable. |
| 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) |
I think that Pau was very affordable. I went to the grocery store and cooked, it was very well priced. There are also more affordable options around town. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not eat out all the time, share meals, eat student meals on campus because they are subsidized and cost 3.25 or less. |
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 |
We were always encouraged to use our language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 380 |
| 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? | Don't be afraid and just do things. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How easy it all was. |
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.' |
