Aix: So bourgeois only good things happen Past Review
By Katherine P (Comparative Literature., Wellesley College) for
Wellesley College: Aix-en-Provence - Wellesley-in-Aix
Yes. I am much more confident speaking French, and understand French Culture and American culture much better than I did.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While I don't think the French system of giving students only one or two chances to show what they've learned in the semester is the best way to grade, it forced me to think and study in a more global way than courses I've taken at home have. The work load for some of the classes was the same as that of Wellesley classes, but some had much less and some had much harder material. French professors generally don't tell their students what to do, which meant that for some classes I did more work than French students, and for others I did less because the "extra reading" was too technical to be accessible. However, most of the professors were very understanding and willing to help me (and other foreign students). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program director was wonderful. She made sure that we had everything we needed, that we were doing well in classes, and that we were making French friends and participating in everyday life with French people. She also made an effort to make sure we understood the history of the south of France. She got things done effectively, wouldn't take no for an answer, and constantly encouraged us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an apartment close to the center of town. Like French students, we did out shopping at the daily markets and walked to and from the university everyday. The program provided all the necessities as well as some extras, like baking supplies. My neighbors were very nice and welcoming; I think they were more excited to have us than we were to have them. |
| * Food: |
Some students were vegetarian, vegan, or just picky, and I think they may have had a hard time with food, but if you're willing to try new things, it's wonderful. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program arranged a number of excursions around the Aix, as well as an end of the year trio to Corsica, and a trip to Normandy during our stay in Paris. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city is very safe, but students should be smart, because things to occasionally happen. Simple things like traveling with someone at night and checking to see who's at the door before letting someone in are good ideas. |
| 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? | Once I learned how to keep myself on a budget, I spent about 40 euros per week on food. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have an idea of how to budget before leaving. Also, Monoprix is overpriced, shopping at Super U and the daily markets are cheaper for most things. |
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? | 216 (Mothers and Daughters in French Literature) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke French. I spoke French with French people regularly, and did my best to speak it around my apartment. I found that while my French people could speak some English, they were impressed and more open to foreigners who spoke 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? | I think a student who has been studying French since high school or the beginning of college would do best with this program: it forces to to learn a lot, and the experience is not as invigorating for someone who has been studying French since elementary school |
