Language and culture immersion with traveling opportunities January 25, 2023

By (Art History, French, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/28/2022 to 12/16/2022 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to improve my French language skill abroad.

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.

Wellesley-in-Aix offered us a wide range of classes in the humanities and social sciences.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program director gave each student a lot of attention.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very happy with my room in the student residential hall.

* Food:

I was responsible to make my own food everyday.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program provided us with a lot of resources to integrate with the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The local healthcare system is very different from home. The program helped us to find doctors when we need.

* Safety:

Aix-en-Provence is a very safe city.

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)

Aix-en-Provence is a very expensive city. It's possible to stay on a student's budget if you are always cooking at home.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around 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? FREN 216
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Language experience
  • being in Europe
  • cultural immersion
* What could be improved?
  • less micromanagement
  • more support for classes at French universities
  • WIA classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how disorganized/simple French university's syllabi are.

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!