la vie a paris! August 26, 2025
By A student (theater, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/07/2025 to 05/11/2025 with
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
I learned independence in a way I hadn't quite experienced before, travel skills and confidence, my French improved greatly, and I met some truly incredible people. I am very grateful for this experience and all the ways in which I grew.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
Often disorganized and chaotic, but the staff is all friendly and mostly well-meaning |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
host family was incredible. very generous and welcoming |
| * Food: |
it's paris, come on! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think living in a host family through me into French culture in a very immersive manner. I also loved all the cultural outings APA took us on like to see performances and a couple overnight trips. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Paris is fairly safe if you keep your wits about you and move with confidence. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
While APA's organizational skills were a deficit and created some issues throughout my time in Paris, the structure of the program meant that I found a lovely cohort to support me through my time in Paris. The size of the group was around 20 students who were all good friends by the end and I will continue to foster those friendships. The performances and other outings we were taken on were truly one of the best parts of the semester and I was really lucky with who I was matched with for my host family. |
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? | Intermediate |
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? | Paris is too big to see everything. It's good to find your places and routines, but it's important to keep trying new things. |
