An experience with lifelong friends and memories Past Review
By Zain F (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 05/29/2012 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
I gained better language skills, which allowed me to interact with people around me. I experienced a great culture and made lifelong friends that definitely made the experience worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were not particularly challenging. They were memorization-based and some did not require any in class work until the end of the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was extremely helpful with anything that we needed. They were very organized and on top of the students yet they still allowed us to do our own thing. I did not think that there was a lot of hand holding, yet it was nice having the comfort of knowing that there was someone to go to just in case. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an apartment in a very central area and I could walk to pretty much anywhere that I wanted |
| * Food: |
Not much to say here..French food is amazing |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I went to the markets that were held everyday and had dinner with local/international students every week. Our classes were mainly with French students and I did some outside programs that were with French people. Yet despite of all that, I could still feel a barrier. That could have probably been solved with spending more time there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not deal with any health issues during my time abroad yet there was a list of recommended doctors if necessary, and I heard from other students that the doctors were good and I'm basing my rating off of that. |
| * Safety: |
The city was small so I felt pretty safe most of the time walking by myself. |
| 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) |
Aix is pretty expensive as a city and you will spend a good amount of money if you want to eat in restaurants. Travelling around is also costly. |
| * 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? | ~$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop for groceries at the market and cook for yourself, it's much more cost-effective. |
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 |
They asked us to use it at all times. |
| 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? | 308 |
| 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? | It's easy to say that you should make friends with natives but if you are not that kind of person that walks up to people and starts conversations in a foreign language then it's not going to be as easy. You can ask around about local activities that allow for a language exchange, and you can also sign up for outside classes or programs that allow you to interact with natives. |
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 had known a bit more about my course options. |
