94 reviews
4.00 / 5 based on 94 reviews
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Minna K
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Independence, privacy, a native French roomate, a true sense of cultural immersion.
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Personal comments
While the first month was spent in the "dorms" (which were small and unattractive) the rest of the year we had our own places--and had to look for them ourselves. It definitely took some effort, but eventually everyone found nice apartments. It took me some time, and one move, to find mine. But it was worth it-it was a fabulous little place and a great roomate.
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Minna K
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
There were always "soirees" going on at Le Petit Voisin and concerts at Le Bikini. There were always art exibitions in town and local dj's at the smaller bars and clubs. There are tons of cool cafes in Toulouse. I didn't have one favorite. The best parties, however, were the ones at people's houses (especially if there were dj's there). Beaujolais day really went off in the streets, and the music festival in July was awesome.
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Minna K
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I had brought more comfortable shoes and warm clothes. My home university is in San Diego, so I had brought a light jacket, skirts, flipflops and tanktops. Toulouse is warmer than most French cities, but not THAT warm! I had to buy practically another wardrobe.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The university itself is not where you will spend most of your time or make your friends. Your experience in the city itself will be more exciting. Campus life is not like here in the US. There, students live offcampus in their own apartments. Academically, Toulouse is a good University, but it's not the best. The city of Toulouse, however, is the probably the best place to spend your year abroad. The people are wonderful and there is so much to do and so much going on. In the year I was there, it was pretty much agreed that Toulouse was by far the best city to go to in France. I fully recommend going to Toulouse.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
The people who had the best time (i.e. learned the most, had the most fun, made friends) were the ones who made the most effort. If you go there with a positive attitude and are not afraid to meet people, ask questions, try new things, then you are in for a great year. There were a couple people who gave up early on. They didn't give things a chance, and, not surpisingly, they hated it. Everyone else had a blast.
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Minna K
Academic
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Minna K
Languages
Language of instruction: French
Was learning French a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your French?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I had taken French for about 6-7 years, so I was pretty good at it to begin with. In classrooms, I was used to speaking only French, but I had had no practice outside of class, and it was in this area that I learned the most. Just how to make casual conversation with people I met, or with the friends I made. I learned alot of local slang,local accents, expressions, and etiquettes. Things like asking for help at the grocery store was a challenge at first, but became second nature by the end of the year.
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Minna K
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
A private grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Food in France comes in smaller quantities, so I was constantly buying groceries, I made lengthy longdistance calls to the US, I traveled alot which I never do in the states, but the rent is cheaper in Toulouse than it is in the US. I also went out alot more in France, so that cost me, but going out in the states is usually more expensive, so that equalled out.
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Food, Telephone, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
If you plan on traveling to other countries, get a Eurorail Pass. It'll save you a ton of cash for trains. The cheap hotels were often about the same price as the hostels, and hotels gave you more privacy and security. Try to get your produce at the open air markets--it's much fresher and cheaper.
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