An amazing semester-- absolutely worth it! Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/19/2017 to 01/20/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worth while. I gained fluency in a language that I had been studying and struggling to master for a long time.

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.

Combined with the courses offered at the Wellesley in Aix center, the rigor was cumulatively less than at Wellesley, but nicely balanced.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I absolutely loved the director, Monique Fecteau, and Magali Coates.

* 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?

The local health care system is accessible and not extremely expensive.

* Safety:

Aix felt very safe. Marseille is a bigger city, and often felt more intimidating. Overall awareness when abroad is absolutely essential though.

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)

France is expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? between $120-215.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy food to cook lunch for the week.

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? FREN 211
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Force yourself to struggle through how hard it is to express yourself in a language other than your maternal one. It will help you progress to comfortability in the language and then fluency much faster.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • The location in France
  • The director
  • The language
* What could be improved?
  • Student budget
  • Host family placement
  • Tavan needs a new kitchen or at least new appliances
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much money I was going to need to save in order to travel and fully enjoy the experience and opportunities in Europe.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.