Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Aix-cellent experience Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/20/2016 to 01/15/2017 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained valuable insight into other cultures, which was very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Originally I had been under the impression that the therapist associated with this program gave individual sessions free of charge, since therapists at Wellesley college are also free of charge. My insurance does not cover therapy, so these services were ultimately inaccessible to me. I would have greatly appreciated it if this therapist was covered in the same way as therapists at Wellesley's Stone Center, or if I had known before coming that I would have to pay out of pocket for therapy.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Overall the program is very well run. The staff are very attentive and accommodating and do their best to insure that we have an enjoyable and successful time abroad.

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)

The stipends were very very helpful, as was the cultural reimbursement fund.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-100 euros

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? 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? Upper intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Paris orientation
  • The other group trips and events
  • Improvement in my French skills
* What could be improved?
  • If students arrived in Aix first and then travelled to Paris, I feel like that could alleviate a lot of stress with going back to the US. As it is, students either return to Paris to fly home or have to go through the hassle of changing flights, both of which are quite frustrating.
  • The cours de soutien class could be greatly improved if the busy-work was removed.
  • The therapist affiliated with this program should either be covered in a way similar to therapists at the stone center, or it should be made more clear to students that they may have to pay out of pocket.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The academics were much more rigorous than I had expected.

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 Linguist
You 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!