A pretty unremarkable semester. Past Review
By A student (Mathematics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/21/2012 to 01/12/2013 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
I learned how much I appreciate the American university system and overall the American way of life. It was a nice semester to hang out and relax, and it certainly made me appreciate what I left back home, but I would not do it again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
I got very sick my second day in Aix and within 30 minutes of notifying the Director I had an appointment with a doctor and medication 10 minutes after that and it only cost me like $40 for everything. AMAZING! |
| * Safety: |
Terribly unsafe for women. I was followed home, attacked in the street, and couldn't walk anywhere alone after dark. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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 a very expensive city to live in. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
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 required to use the language. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 233 Passionate Cinema |
| 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? | Unless you're close to fluent, SciencePo classes will be nearly impossible. Otherwise just try your best. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | As stated above I wish I had known that it would be nearly impossible to pass my oral exams with my level of French as well as the fact that Aix seems cute but is actually really grimy and full of misogynistic, agressive men. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
