The rewards were worth the challenges. Past Review
By A student (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Austin College) - abroad from 09/12/2012 to 06/09/2013 with
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
I learned not only the language and about the culture but about myself and grew much more confident in my own abilities to do things. After living, surviving, and thriving in such a strange place, I now know that I can succeed in my endeavors back home.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Challenging but worth the effort and the program offered many resources. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The directors were awesome and were so, so helpful with every problem I encountered. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was perfectly matched with my host family, and we got along very well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program directors took great measures to ensure that we all participated actively in the local culture and without their help I doubt I would have integrated as well as I did. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
If you look alert, confident, and like you know what you are doing, you shouldn't have any problems, but if you choose to look and act like a foolish tourist then you will be treated like one by the thieves. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Four semesters |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known the local language a bit more as that would have made it easier, but I don't think anything can really prepare you for culture shock other than knowing that at some point it will happen. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
