Rewarding May 27, 2026
By A student (Economics and art history, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/07/2026 to 05/17/2026 with
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
I learned French, the ability to be independent and adapt, and the ability to be able to rely on myself and only myself for all aspects of life and academics.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic rigor of this program is very high for the university classes and a bit lower for the program classes. I would highly recommend taking most class with APA. The university classes are highly disorganized. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall, good. The staff is very nice. I wish I received more help with my courses. The tutors they employ are also students and do not specialize in the subject areas. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There was little pre screening with my homestay. |
| * Food: |
Overall great |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very integrated |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really liked this program but it has problems. They need to be more honest about students French level and ability to take and immerse themselves in a university environment in France. In addition, there needs to be more screening with the homestays. |
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? | 4th semester of French |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | immerse your self in French before the start of the program. |
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? |
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 the program was more honest with us from the beginning about the disorganization of university courses and the homestay experience. |
