An Aix-citing Experience January 17, 2022
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/21/2021 to 12/18/2021 with
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
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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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think overall the administration was really supportive and perhaps this was because of covid but there felt like some things fell through the cracks and there wasn't a lot of grace when I unknowingly didn't comply with one of the academic policies. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I am glad that I got to live with a host family but would have benefitted from more support facilitating integration in the family and dealing with conflict/misunderstandings (language barrier) |
* 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? |
I feel like medical care was accessible but there was a real lack of support regarding mental health services. I had to pay for my own therapy sessions through wire transfer which I was unfamiliar with. |
* Safety: |
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If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I learned a lot, improved my french and became a lot more independent which I am really grateful for. I wish I had some more mental health support esp. as someone who deals with anxiety and depression and |
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) |
WIA provides a generous stipend that covers all of the necessities while also allowing students to profit from the city (museums, concerts, etc.) |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $80-100 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Check if events have student discounts/bring your student i.d. keep a list of cheapest places to eat in the area |
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 |
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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? | 300 french |
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? | going to language cafes/exchanges watch tv + youtube in target language take breaks but stay in target language as much as possible don't let people speak to you in English |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | as a person of color, I think there could be a greater focus on how some of the cultural differences are rooted in things like universalism/post-racialism and how they talk about the difference is really difficult to adjust to |
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 LinguistYou 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! |