Health Questions

1) What is the University Health System like? What services do they provide and are these services covered by tuition or insurance of any kind?

2) What are the University's policies on giving medication? Is it available the same way it is at U of M?

3) How much are everyday medications, such as aspirin, tums, etc? Is it better to buy those in the U.S.?

4) Are the University counselors/psychologists readily available? Are visits covered by insurance?

5) Have there been any major problems with people getting sick (flu, etc.)?

6) What options are there for healthy eating and exercise? Anything we should avoid?

Collaborative Map of Aix

Here is a collaborative mapping tool that might be useful for placing dorm, apartment, shopping, transportation markers on the map of Aix-en-Provence. You can also add descriptive text, websites, images, audio, and video to the marker. I have placed a couple markers as an illustration.

Map is in the right margin for your convenience. It is easiest to view and add markers in the full screen mode so click the Open Map link beneath the map (margin) for best results.

•The map is public to view but you will need to login with a password (see Dominique) to add a marker.
•The interface is pretty self explanatory.
•Open Map and click Add Marker. Login.
•Type address or find the location on the map yourself.
•There is a Legend at the bottom and a List of Markers in the thin blue strip on the right (hide/show).
•To edit a marker, click on the Title in the info bubble.
•To delete a marker, click on the Advanced > Markers > Delete


Open Map

Philomena - UM Language Resource Center
working with Dominique on blog setup

Computers

1- Did you bring a laptop to Aix? Is it necessary to bring your own, or are there ample computer labs for student use? Either way, what do you recommend?

2- How much work do you do as a student on your computer? Are there lots of papers that are required to be typed, or is it mostly handwritten, or do you have a choice?

3- Did you buy a printer there, or is there easy access to printers?

4- Can you just buy a converter, or is it necessary to buy a European charger from the computer's maker? (I know with Macs, you just change the end piece of the plug...)

5- Is there wireless internet in the dorms? Lounges? Nearby cafés? What is the computer policy for most cafés? Is it like the US, where it isn't usually necessary to buy anything to use their wireless, or is that considered rude?

6- Where would you go for tech support? Is there something just for students, at a discounted rate? Are there Apple stores in Aix?

Brandon's Aix Expectations

1. Speak near fluent French.

2. Complete my major: French and Francophone Studies

3. Flourish as a person by being immersed in a culture other than the USA

4) Make international connections and friendships

MONEY MATTER$

1) What would you consider to be a sufficient amount of money one should bring to Aix in order to pay for: please consider that 1 euro = $1.55

- leisure travel (surrounding countries)

- food

- school books

- laundry

- buses

-etc

2) How do you set up a bank account in France?

3) Is the dorm residence worth the price or are apartments (more expensive) actually worth the added expense?

4) What are some good savings tips that you guys might have for entering Aix "08-09" students?

5) Is the price for a simple café or coke in Aix approximately 6 euros?

6) Is is true that there are NO free refills on drinks in restaurants in and around Aix?

Expectations

I want to study in Aix to:

1. develop a fluency in French

2. become more self-confident

3. meet new people

4. have the opportunity to travel around France and Europe

5. become immersed in daily life in France and fall into a routine

6. learn from a different perspective

Arrival

1. How did you get to Aix? (Did you fly directly to Paris and then take the train?)

2. Did you purchase a one-way ticket?

3. Did you get any student deals?

4. Do you have any advice on the easiest and cheapest way to get there?

5. About how much were your arrival costs?

6. Did you travel/book tickets with anyone else from the group?