IES Abroad Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies : Testimonials (Nantes)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by Office of International Programs
We want to hear about your experience!
Why did you choose this program?
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I had heard many good things about it from other wofford students and wanted an area that was not too large, like Paris, and one in which i would feel comfortable using my French. I also wanted to stay with a host family and knew this was a program that had a good history with host families.
— Anna Childers, Fall 2011 |
Why did you choose this program?
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When I began to consider going to France for study abroad, I had no idea where to go. I just knew that Paris would probably be a little overwhelming for me. So, I asked other Wofford students where they had been to study abroad, and most responded with Nantes, Rennes, or Bordeaux. Then, the French department got a teaching assistant, Marie-Ange, who was from area around Nantes, and she told me about life in the city. Since we had alumni on campus, and I knew someone from the city, I decided to choose the program in Nantes. From what I had heard, it was a big city with a small city community aspect, which was what I was searching for.
— Carlin Connelly, Spring 2013 |
Why did you choose this program?
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I chose Nantes because it is a small city. I didn't want to go to a big city because sometimes you don't get enough experience because they may be many travelers in the big cities.
— Callixte Nahimana, Spring 2013 |
What was your favorite aspect of this program?
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I was very pleased with my host family and i think they made my experience even better than i could have imagined. I really felt like a part of the family and learned so much from them.
— Anna Childers, Fall 2011 |
What was your favorite aspect of this program?
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I absolutely loved living with my host family. During my time there, I felt like an actual member of their family. I was so lucky to have been placed with them. I also really liked the ease of using public transportation in the city itself. My neighborhood was about a 10-15 ride into town by bus or tram, or I could walk downtown in about 35 minutes. Every staff member and professor encouraged us to speak French at all times, and the staff was very helpful if we ever had any issues.
— Carlin Connelly, Spring 2013 |
What was your housing situation like?
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It was great- i couldn't have asked for a better experience!
— Anna Childers, Fall 2011 |
What was your housing situation like?
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I lived with a host family who had six children, four of which lived at home. I had my own room with a small wardrobe, closet, and desk. I shared a shower room with my host parents. They allowed me full access to the TV, internet, and printer if I needed it. The IES program requires no more than 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners for the families to serve the students (even though my host family spoiled me). I always felt welcome.
— Carlin Connelly, Spring 2013 |
What was your housing situation like?
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I stayed in a host family.
— Callixte Nahimana, Spring 2013 |
What was your favorite class and why?
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I really enjoyed my art history class because i think it was so interesting how I was able to observe and take in all the aspects of the class around nantes. After learning about the architecture we were able to go observe it in the middle of the city. It was such a unique experience that I couldn't have done in the US.
— Anna Childers, Fall 2011 |
What was your favorite class and why?
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My favorite class that I took was probably French phonetics and conversation. We did not have a lot of homework, but we spent a lot of time in class because we met four times a week for three hours of credit. We had theory one day, two labs at the local university to practice pronunciation on recording equipment, and conversation on Fridays. I enjoyed this class because it taught me the correct way to pronounce the words that I was learning, and it allowed me to apply the techniques that we learned in conversation. I also just find the subject matter really interesting.
— Carlin Connelly, Spring 2013 |
What was your favorite class and why?
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Theater. I never did theater before in my life, and i didn't think i can act, especially in a non-native language, but it all went fantastic!
— Callixte Nahimana, Spring 2013 |
What did you gain from studying abroad?
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Obviously I improved my language skills but I also gained a much deeper understanding of another culture. I also gained a greater sense of adventure and a greater sense of independence.
— Anna Childers, Fall 2011 |
What did you gain from studying abroad?
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From studying abroad, I gained a lot of self-confidence and a desire to continue studying French and traveling. The more time I spent over there, the more I realized that I did not know a lot of French. Now, one of my main goals is to become more proficient and eventually fluent in French. I revamped the way in which I think about things. I was given a lot of different perspectives on various world issues, but I now take more time to think. When I was trying to communicate in French with my host family or professors, I had to think really hard about what I wanted to say, how I wanted to say it, and if I was conveying the message that I wanted to convey. Therefore, I am a little more cautious with my words, and I really just enjoy thinking in general. Now, I'm trying to take those thoughts and collect and organize them into a blog. There is so much that I gained from study abroad that I am sure that I haven't even realized every way in which I have changed yet. It was definitely an experience that I would not trade for anything, except to go back and do it again. — Carlin Connelly, Spring 2013 |
What did you gain from studying abroad?
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I gained much understanding of the culture, i gained more language skills, and it helped me to know myself more.
— Callixte Nahimana, Spring 2013 |