Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Paris dreaming Past Review

By (The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 01/24/2012 to 05/17/2012 with

American Business School - Paris: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was totally worthwhile, but this program's academic system is not so pleasing. The school admin is very messed up. Not flexible with dates and absences.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Much less intense than William and Mary. International students 60%, French students 40%. Teachers are OK.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Not well organized. Many things are off schedule.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Hotel appartment, double room. The room is really small, but it has a full collection of equipments and utensils to use. Laundry machines were not working.

* Food:

So much variety. Overall more expensive than the US, for sure.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Above average

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

it wasn't really addressed during the program, but health system in France is great.

* Safety:

a lot of robbery in the subway.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

1

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $250+
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Thefork.com has discounts for good restaurants.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

3

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Hang out with French students. Don't just stay with Americans.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Not so intense academics
  • Paris is beautiful and attractive
  • Got to travel a lot
* What could be improved?
  • The school admin & organization. They change classrooms for every course every day.
  • Quality of the courses. French people do not study much. They are noisy.
  • There was one course outside Paris city, and it took more than 1hr to get there in the early morning!!! Unbearable.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Location of housing and school; Location of the courses; Teaching staff resume.