Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Intensive Language Immersion September 03, 2026

By (International Relations, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/04/2026 to 05/27/2026 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my French skills immensely and learned problem-solving and independence skills in both my experience living and travelling independently.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I generally enjoyed my courses, but struggled with the lack of homework/assignments.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived independently in an apartment, which was well-kept and in a good location.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because I lived in an apartment in the city, I felt my lived experience was fairly similar to that of any other college student.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program was very understanding about health issues.

* Safety:

Aix is generally safe, but you should be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved my time in Aix, it's a beautiful city and well situated to travel more extensively.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 75-100 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend cooking for yourself rather than eating out, which helped me save a lot of money and ended up being quite fun.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 207
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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 staff
  • The location
  • The course offerings
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How independent I would have to be, as a Wellesley student, you get used to a level of support in both academics and personal life. The program is still very independent, but French standards are very different.

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 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.