Cultural Past Review
By wanderlustalle (Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/06/2012 to 06/03/2012 with
Utah Valley University: Traveling - French
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am able to understand and comprehend the french language more after having this experience. I really have an appreciation for the French culture and I cannot wait to go back. Definitely was worthwhile!
Review Photos
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. |
It was really intense since the professor at the university only spoke to us in French during class, but that set the bar higher for learning. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | For 29 days in the program, a lot of days I did not even have to spend money on food so just to average out I would say $50 a week because most was in Paris (the last week). |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the number of days the student will be in the program and divide how much money the student has budgeted; for example, if I only want to spend $500 for the total 29 days it will be about $17 a day. If the student wants to not be worried about not eating or running out of money I would budget for $1000 and the student will probably only end up using 3/4 of that amount, that way the student will not panic over money or eating while in a foreign country. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 1020 |
| 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? | Note cards and study groups. |
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? | I wish I knew that while at school everything is in French and no one speaks English, I would have brought my note cards with me on the first day because I was so nervous I almost forgot how to even say my name! |
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