A Practice in Cultural, Language and Social Immersion Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 05/28/2012 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
It was worthwhile, I grew intellectually and personally by a significant amount.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Sciences-Po Aix Université Aix-en-Provence |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We had great resources and help available with the Wellesley in Aix center, however the classes (even though they were all in French) were not overly demanding. I was able to complete the courses without much difficulty or intensity. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Madame Masson was a stellar administrator in that she was highly organized, and I knew that I could trust her to take care of us on trips, if I had academic questions, or in the event of an emergency. However, she was severe to the point that I felt uncomfortable at times. She was too harsh on students and was quick to yell at them and admonish them in public if someone did something that she saw was unfit. Madame certainly chose favorite people, and I was happy to be on her "good" side. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Excellent! I was in a host family, and although it was far away from the town, I was glad to be in their care. |
| * Food: |
Delicious! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was fairly integrated with the local culture, although the year long program would have offered more opportunity for that. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience with health issues while abroad and it wasn't really mentioned in our introduction program. |
| * Safety: |
The only negative aspect of Aix is the men who cat call and sometimes follow women in the street. But, women just need to travel together to stay safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
| * 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? | Food was included twice a day for my program as I lived in a host family, but I spent a lot of money on food and other expenses. |
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 |
|
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 222 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It takes a long adjustment period. |
