Aix, Pretending I was rich in the second most expensive city in France. Past Review
By Rosalie D (French Language and Literature., Wellesley College) for
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
My cultural awareness was already pretty high, and it didn't influence any future plans, but I had fun.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director who came with us from Wellesley could get things done when needed, but the French administrator was worthless. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living around other Americans made me want to speak French less. They said they had cleaned the apartment beforehand, but it was filthy when I got there. They did buy me an oven and knives, though. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The excursions were boring and, well, touristy. The Christmas market was great. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I did not have any health concerns while I was there, so I don't know. I always felt very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | I started out spending very little per week (20-50euros), but spent more around the holidays and after I received a cookbook (100per week). |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I had no unanticipated expenses, but some people spent all there money on travel and ended up broke at the end of each month. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Lexicologie (second year) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke some English, but badly enough that it was usually easier to speak in French. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student who just wants to have fun roaming around Europe. |
