©Onidji - Fotolia.com

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROGRAM

Important questions to ask

Once you’ve narrowed down the options, you’ll want to contact the schools. Amy Loth, on-site director of the Mount Holyoke College Study Abroad program in Montpellier, suggests some important questions to ask.

Ask to be put in contact with former students. Remember that the school will, of course, give you the names of people who had positive experiences on the program. You’ll want to know if you have something in common with those students. Are you at similar levels? Do you have similar interests? Are you both shy/outgoing? Be sure to ask about the experiences of other classmates.

What is the average age of the other students? Many schools cater to a wide variety of students of all ages and backgrounds.

Ask about the intensity of the courses. This is linked to your objectives. If you are looking for a little more leisure, 40 hours of grammar a week won’t be the right fit. Conversely, if you need to write a dissertation in French, one hour a day won’t cut it. Most schools offer a wide selection.

Ask about level placement. If you have taken French lessons for eight years, you don’t want to find yourself in a class learning the different nuances of “bonjour.” If you are a beginner, you may not want to land in a class where the professor is rattling off the subjunctive tense. You want to challenge yourself without getting discouraged or bored.

Good programs should be able to put you in contact with potential host families, especially in the Internet age. You’ll want to stay with a family that is going to help you succeed. Will family members speak only in French? Will they correct yours? Will they include you in conversations? How many people live there? Do they have children? Are they hosting you as part of an exchange or boarding you for money?

Ask about all the school fees involved. You don’t want to find yourself having to pay extra fees for course materials without knowing about it in advance. Ask about activity fees. Are they already included? If you are traveling as a couple or family, ask about discounts.

Ask about your personal expenses. Will you be able to stay within walking distance, or will there be transportation costs? Is the cost of living significantly higher or lower than in the United States? Will you or can you cook for yourself?

Ask about your visa status. All degree- seeking students need a visa, even for a short stay. Tourists visiting for under three months do not need a visa.