Unsatisfactory curiculum/admin., yet enriching experience outside courses Past Review
By Megan J (Marketing., American Business School - Paris) - abroad from 09/05/2011 to 05/17/2013 with
American Business School - Paris: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Outside the disappointing school aspect, the overall abroad experience was very enriching.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very low-level courses and professors (with the exception of a couple), that teach material directly from the book. There is little to no added value. They call a daily attendance so you must attend, but honestly, if you were to read the book on your own all semester, you would pass the test. I found this a shame, as the whole purpose of attending a course for lecture is to learn first-hand experience from the professor, and their imput beyond what the book has to offer. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration at ABS is not efficient. I have had numerous problems that have been (unnecessarily) painstakingly long drawn-out affairs. Even to get them to send a simple receipt for payments for tax purposes took months and constant badgering. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I found housing on my own through the site 'appartager.com' and have found some reasonably priced rooms in decent areas. |
| * Food: |
It's France; bread, ratatouille, cream-sauces, cheese... need I say more? |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Depends on the area; you have to watch your back more in some places in Paris. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Between groceries, the navigo (metro) pass, cultural visits, etc, during my years here, I have probably spent an average of around 150/week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | sign up for the carte imaginR - it will be 30-some euros rather than 66. |
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 |
Courses are in English, administration and everyone at the school speaks English as well, so if you do not apply yourself, you could very well go without speaking one word of French. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | The highest level French course, which was not satisfactory. I have taken intermediate French language courses that have challenged me more intellectually and been more practical than the advanced course at ABS. |
| 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? | Make French-speaking friends. Step outside your confort zone. |
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? | To choose another school with a better reputation and better overall offering. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
English - critical thinking |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Levy |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Despite the title of the course: English - Critical Thinking, no 'critical thinking' was encouraged. I went to discuss her methodology with the administration, and the woman who I spoke with agreed that she is not an efficient teacher. So, I ask, why is she still at the school teaching mandatory classes? |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
