A Provencal Coming of Age Past Review
By A student (Sociology; French, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/19/2012 to 05/28/2012 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
I gained an entirely new perspective on life and the world around me. Living as a foreigner for an entire year was a very valuable life experience that taught me to think in new ways, made me more of a global citizen, and helped me grow into a confident and considerate young adult.
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 academic rigor of the University of Provence itself was not terribly difficult, what was difficult about my academic experience was that I was participating in a foreign language. If I had been taking classes in English at the University of Provence my experience would have been fairly simple. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Wellesley Center in Aix-en-Provence is extremely organized and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family arrangment was fantastic, although some other Wellesley students had difficult and somewhat negative experiences with their own host families. The apartments Wellesley provides for students who choose to live in apartments were well situated and very accomodating. |
| * Food: |
I have never eaten so well than I did during my year in France! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made a big effort to integrate myself into the social scene in Aix-en-Provence by joining organizations such a Catholic parish in Aix and participating in the fall internship Wellesley arranged for five students. The Wellesley in Aix Program takes their students on several well organized and interesting excursions all around Provence and other parts of France. During the 3-week preliminary stay in Paris we had a private tour guide who greatly familiarized us with the city and its history. Also, throughout the semester and academic year cultural dinners were provided at the home of our director during which we sampled dishes and wines from all different regions in France. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The Wellesley-in-Aix Program provides a list of several doctors in the guide book although seeking medical help in a foreign country is somewhat daunting and difficult due to language barriers. |
| * Safety: |
Aix-en-Provence is a small, safe city but danger still exists in the late night/early morning weekend scene and as in any city in Europe street-smarts and common sense should always be exercised. There is a large number of young travelers throughout Europe during the academic year but there is also a population of people looking to exploit young tourists (such as pickpockets) so while there is safety in traveling together caution should always be exercised. |
| 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) |
The WiA Program provides more than enough for a student to live comfortably in France. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Students should take advantage of cheap airline tickets and student railway passes. |
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 only allowed to speak in French during all program functions and were firmly instructed to limit our English 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? | French 211 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I would strongly recommend that students stay in host families and integrate themselves in the social scene in their cities. The best way to develop language skills and to absorb the most out of the cultural situation is to dive head first into it! |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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 not to bring so many clothes with me because I was just going to buy a whole new wardrobe. |
