Paris was Paris was the best experience of my life Past Review
By Nicole K (Romance Languages, DePauw University) for
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
YES!!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program in Paris consists of 3 people: a director and a co-director and the secretary/office assistant. They were wonderful. Always ready to help, had things planned, were very attentive, wanting to know what was going on with each class and how you were doing. They were amazing. Their dedication exceeded my expectations |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The cultural program was amazing. I loved going to different shows every week. And the availability of museums was such an experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I went to one of my classes at the program while sick and the directors insisted I go see a doctor and actually set up an appointment for me. They were very insistent that I take care of myself and make sure that it wasn't serious. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The first couple weeks will be the most expensive. Keep track of what you spend for food etc that you know you will be buying continuously throughout the semester so as to figure out about how much you will spend each week. There will be expenses you did not necessarily consider like cell phones etc. It's a good idea to make sure that your atm card works abroad because traveler's checks were really difficult to deal with. Then take out a certain amount each week to make the atm withdrawal fee worthwhile. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 315 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced with my host family and in everyday interactions in stores. Most people spoke English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Go! Do it! |
