Experience of a Lifetime March 25, 2020
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/23/2019 to 01/15/2020 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to step outside my comfort zone. It was scary stepping into classrooms with hundreds of French students and not knowing anyone, but I made friends. It was definitely worthwhile
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. |
There was less homework, but a lot less hand-holding. For example, the only grades were exams, sometimes just one final exam. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This was a wonderful experience overall. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find cheap, good food! It's everywhere. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | FREN 222 |
| 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? | Do your best to speak the language as much as you can. It'll get easier. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 I had known what a great experience it was going to be, because then I would have chosen to do the full year. |
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