Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

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By (French and Lingustics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/20/2012 to 05/19/2013 with

Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
French language competency, college credit. Many other things, I had a wonderful time.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Honestly, though, probably moreso than the average study abroad program. That's kind of the paradox of a program; without one you'd have a really tough time getting abroad in the first place, but the bubble of it prevents you from penetrating it. It's basically a trip to the zoo (in a way not meant to completely dehumanize the French people, srry frenz); it is really educational and interesting to go see the tigers and the meerkats, but it's quite different from actually being one.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A Got a nifty and entirely unused French S.S. card, though

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? God knows. Found it very easy to live off the apartment stipend, less so the host family one (I did a semester of each)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Mix your own drinks

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

Unless we're defining the program as the network of people belonging to it--in which case my peers and I inhibited each other with all our anglophone socializing

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? 332 or something. Equivalent to one semester over the requirement
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? Find a lover.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Fantastic excursions, cultural programs
* What could be improved?
  • The courses themselves are soul-deadening, but it will give you a profound appreciation of the luxury of American post-secondary education
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It could just be that I'm tired of filling out survey fields, but I'm happily surprised to reprt that after superficial reflection, I have no real regrets. Wait, I just paused to text someone on my French burn phone, and I highly counsel you to spend the extra 5€ on a disposable phone with an actual keyboard for texting. Going for the cheapest one is definitely a shortcut to carpal tunnel and texting-related time wastery.

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 Urbanite
A 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.