APA Paris Yearlong Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

For the most part, students take classes at local universities with APA. Honestly, the academics aren't on par with public/private universities in the US, but that's out of the control of the program. I really enjoyed some of the classes I took, others were not so great. APA bolsters French universities by offering their own classes, a shopping period, and private tutors. I felt as if I did so much learning outside of the classroom with APA, in terms of my French and knowledge of French culture and learning how to live in a different country--so it was a worthwhile trade-off.

On-site administration of your program

I can't say enough good things about the women who run APA. They truly go above and beyond to ensure that each student has a good experience in France. They make themselves available at all hours of the day and are always willing to talk about classes, home stay issues, and even personal problems. They make Paris home away from home for the time you're they're--and they even organize an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was fortunate enough to be able to stay for the whole year and with the same family; I still keep in touch with them and I've visited them in France and they've visited me in the US. I have really great memories thanks to them, from watching the election from afar with my host day in 2012 to spending time with them in the Loire Valley. That being said, living with a host family is a different experience for everyone. APA does a ton of research and interviews before placing students with families, so most of the time, things do work out. I think that the most important thing is to go in with an open mind, and with an understanding that you are living in someone else's home and that you need to respect their rules (if there are any). The people who struggled the most were those who couldn't get out of the "dorm mindset." For example, if your host mom decides that dinner is at a certain time, you need to show up or let her know in advance that you won't make it.

This varies from person to person, depending on how many meals you choose to eat with your host family and depending on how well your host parents cook. I really liked eating with my family almost every night- it was an opportunity to practice French, get to know them better, and I didn't have to cook!!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living with a home stay family is key to the cultural integration aspect of the program. It can be really hard to make friends in France, but I still felt as if I was integrated because of my living situation and the fact that French people were running the program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

I lived in a really safe neighborhood in Paris. It wasn't any different from living in another city--it's important to be safe and to practice common sense at all times.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Because you can eat breakfast and dinner with your host family, you only really have to pay for lunch. This can be really inexpensive, thanks to grocery stores and boulangeries.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Students sign a contract to always speak in French while in the office, and host families are instructed to only speak French to students.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans

• Host family
• Cultural program
• Directors/program management

• Academics

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