Aix-en-Vacances: A Semester in the South of France Past Review
By A student (Art History and French, Wellesley College) - abroad from 12/27/2013 to 05/20/2014 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
I advanced very significantly in my language skills, and feel that I developed personally a lot along the way.
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. |
As long as your French is decent, the academic workload (compared to Wellesley) is completely manageable. French courses often have very little homework, and your entire grade can be predicated on the final exam. If you manage your time well and study throughout the semester, you will be fine. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This program is very thoroughly organized to accommodate for all student needs, both academic and personal. Madames Fecteau and Bussenius are both very helpful, forthcoming with information, and caring. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host parents were wonderful and I couldn't have been happier with my housing arrangement. |
| * Food: |
The food in Aix is incredible. Point blank. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end I felt fairly well integrated, but this is something you have to work hard at. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Local pharmacies are excellent for basic healthcare needs. |
| * Safety: |
Aix and France on the whole are very safe, as long as you watch out for yourself. Theft is a major problem throughout the country, so you should be on your guard in crowds and when carrying valuables. |
| 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 program is expensive, but I still almost always ran out of money in my food allowance each month. The cost of living in France is high. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep a budget, and if you're living in a studio or apartment, don't buy a lot of food all at once -- buy a few things as you need them. The enormous Casino near the Centre Tavan has the cheapest food. Monoprix and Utile are also relatively reasonably priced. The small Casinos and the outdoor market tend to be the most expensive, and the outdoor market has the highest quality produce. |
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 |
The program was strict with regard to our speaking only French. |
| 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? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to everyone. If you have host parents, spend as much time with them as you can. Go out and talk to strangers. Talk to everyone. |
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? | I wish that I had known not to bring so much stuff with me! But in all seriousness I wish that I had spent a little bit more time studying French grammar before I left, and that I had beefed up on non-academic vocabulary. Otherwise, I think it's good to go into an experience like this with an open heart and mind and make mistakes - it's the best way to learn. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
