Paris is wonderful, APA is disorganized May 26, 2025
By A student (Biology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/08/2025 to 05/11/2025 with
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself, I developed my independence, and I improved my French language skills a lot. It was an incredible experience going abroad, and I would recommend it to everyone, no matter where they choose to go. You learn a lot about your place in the world as an individual and as an American and you learn a lot about yourself.
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. |
You can take classes from any discipline at several different French universities, and that allows you a lot of freedom to tailor your own educational experience. APA is not very helpful in this regard though, they don't offer a lot of information on courses. You have to be proactive. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program is so incredibly disorganized. There were consistent problems throughout the semester with communicating incorrect dates and times of classes, events, weekend trips, etc. Getting information about classes was difficult. They are incredibly difficult to work with. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the 17th right next to the arc de triomphe, it was great! APA did however not confirm the length of my housing, and I was forced to move out early and into a foyer with my friend for the last few days before my final exam which was incredibly frustrating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
APA hosted almost weekly cultural outings which included plays, ballets, dances, cheese tasting, etc, which were fun activities to get to know the culture and interact with other students too. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Some parts of the city are nicer than others, but overall, I was most worried about getting pick-pocketed, which is avoidable. I was never very concerned for my safety. It's a really nice city, just avoid the scarier parts late at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The disorganization of APA made my experience a lot more difficult than it needed to be. However, there were no other French immersion programs in Paris that offered classes towards my degree and that I could participate in, so I would choose the program again. As difficult as APA made my experience, it was still definitely worthwhile, and APA did do some things that improved my experience, like the cultural events. |
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) |
It is what you make it. I am always pretty stingy when it comes to spending money. Obviously a semester abroad is gonna cost more than a semester at home, but there are ways to make it not too crazy expensive. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out all the time. Especially for lunches, make yourself sandwiches and bring them instead of going out to a boulangerie every day because that adds up so fast and you'd rather spend that money on traveling or a nice dinner. Take advantage of all the free museums and always show your student ID. If it's not free, you'll get a discount, and that is such a good way to see Paris. |
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 |
Everything happened in French in regards to the program. The use of the language was prioritized and enforced, which was a good thing in helping me improve my French quickly. |
| 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? | 6th semester French class at Brandeis. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Engage with your friends from home in the program in French. Any time you can practice French, do it. It's especially easy with friends who are also learning the language so no one is judging. You can learn from each other. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | You have to be very proactive with this program and not be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for yourself because they are not very organized or proactive about getting you information. Just be prepared to be doing a lot of things for yourself that you would hope the program would have offered more support for. In the long run though, the program is just one aspect of the study abroad experience, and the experience is always worth it. |
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! |
