Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Aix-pect the Unexpected Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 05/16/2017 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained experience speaking and writing in French.

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.

Academics were certainly rigorous and intense: while the workload may appear to be meager, there is always more French vocabulary to learn, more books to read, and more notes to take for class. My classes had no assigned/graded homework, however, in order to be successful in a class one needed to do reading and note-taking a little each day, especially if your level of French is not at college level when beginning the semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Madame Fecteau and Haley were the best: very attentive and hands-on, students spend lots of time at Tavan (the Wellesley Center), therefore there is lots of interactive with the program administration.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in a homestay situation that did not work out as I hoped. Mme. Fecteau was very understanding, and after speaking with her I was able to move into a Wellesley Apartment. It turns out students have not been requesting them, opting instead for homestays. If you have never had the opportunity to live alone before, I highly recommend rooming in the apt with a friend.

* Food:

Plenty of food options for vegetarians, vegans, etc.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt integrated into the Wellesley-in-Aix group and with our Language Buddies, but it was very, very difficult to integrate into the local student culture. More easily done in the fall semester than the spring semester I think. Be sure to join clubs at Sciences Po or AMU during the very first week you can.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick with the flu for a week, the director helped me get in touch with a doctor and with some bedrest I was much better. You can also be reimbursed for medical expenses, if you don't mind dealing with the French bureaucracy.

* Safety:

Never had a problem with safety in Aix, even when walking home late at night.

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

Maybe I'd chose the same program again.

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)

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? French 211
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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?
  • Language Immersion
  • France
* What could be improved?
  • Local Integration
  • Picking Classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Language immersion is no joke, as is culture shock. Aix is not Wellesley. Remain as open minded as you can and really try to integrate yourself into the culture before the semester flies by.

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!