An Aix-cellent Semester Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/03/2016 to 05/15/2016 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
This experience was incredibly worthwhile. It helped me think more deeply about France and French culture, and how I fit into it as an American of Asian descent. I met some wonderful people: French, American, Polish, Guinean... the list goes on! I have made lifelong friends and gained a deeper understanding of and interest in the French lifestyle. I also focused my studies exclusively on the French language and literature, so gained more knowledge about subjects like the evolution of the French language, classical French theater, and English-French translation.
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. |
After having experienced the academic rigor and high-quality education at Wellesley College, my courses at Aix-Marseille University did not seem as challenging or intellectually stimulating. They were enjoyable, but certainly not the highlight of my experience abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Wellesley-in-Aix administration did SO much to make students feel welcome and comfortable in Aix, and also to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. Our director (Marie Anne Devaux) and administrative assistant (Sophie Bussenius) were absolutely wonderful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family, and it was the most rewarding part of my abroad experience, without a doubt. I was really adopted into the family, and that meant a lot to me, especially considering how nervous I was about living with strangers before I arrived in France. My family was incredibly generous and welcoming, and helped make my semester in Aix a completely positive one. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program and my family gave good suggestions about how to integrate ourselves into the local culture. I wish I had integrated a bit more, but I think that was the downside of living with a host family-- I spent so much time with them that I didn't go out and explore Aix as much. It's a trade-off. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare and medicine were easily accessible, but the program did not provide health insurance; I had to go toward my home insurance company to fund the medications I bought when I had the flu. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Aix! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I LOVED this program. I loved my host family, Aix as a town itself, and enjoyed my courses (though they were not as interesting and challenging as the ones I am used to at Wellesley). I very much enjoyed the group outings and excursions, and the management of the Wellesley-in-Aix program in general; overall, I would absolutely do this program over again, and regret not having come for a full year. |
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 monthly stipend amounted to about $10 a day. For me, this was doable, because I ate breakfast and dinner with my host family, and often cooked a simple lunch for myself at the WiA center. I used all excess money for travel and gifts for my host family! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Between $20-$40. |
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 always encouraged to speak in French. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | A 300-level French university course. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | 0 |
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 was so afraid I wouldn't fit in my host family and that I wouldn't have friends. I wish I had known that all would turn out all right. More specifically, I wish I had known about the disorganization of the French university system. It's nothing like what we're used to at Wellesley; in choosing courses, it's up to the students to research what they want to take, when they want to take it, and with whom. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
