Paris Was Amazing — School Not So Much July 16, 2025

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program wasn't as academically rigorous as I would have hoped, and there weren't as many resources compared to what I had at Wellesley.

On-site administration of your program

One of the main drawbacks I experienced was the lack of a true campus atmosphere. It felt more like a collection of buildings rather than a unified space where students could gather, relax, and connect. This made it harder to feel a sense of community or school spirit, which is something I really value in a college environment. Additionally, there was no dedicated dining hall on site, which was a major inconvenience. Having to leave campus or rely on nearby options for every meal became frustrating, especially during busy academic periods. It also made socialising over meals more difficult, since there wasn’t a central place for students to meet and eat together. Overall, the absence of both a cohesive campus and dining facilities impacted my overall experience more than I expected.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Overall, my experience with on-campus housing was mixed. On the positive side, the area and neighborhood felt generally safe, and the location was convenient — there were several supermarkets nearby, which was especially helpful since there was no dining hall provided by the school. Being able to quickly grab groceries made day-to-day life more manageable. However, the housing facilities themselves were a major source of frustration. There were multiple maintenance issues during my time there: the room next to mine flooded, the unit above had ongoing plumbing problems, and there were times when water was cut off entirely without any prior notice. These disruptions made it difficult to feel comfortable or settled. The RA wasn’t particularly helpful either. She rarely enforced basic rules, and the shared kitchen — which was the only one available — was often left in a disgusting state and I have the photos to prove it. It didn’t feel like there was any accountability, and the cameras around the residence weren’t operational, which made me feel uneasy at times, especially during late hours. But perhaps the most frustrating part was the school’s rigid housing policies. For example, professional cleaners came in once a week — which sounds helpful in theory — but students weren’t allowed to decline cleaning under any circumstances besides real illness. This meant disciplinary action could be taken even if you were too tired or unwell to accommodate the cleaners, who sometimes arrived very early in the morning without flexibility. It felt unnecessarily strict and poorly thought-out. In short, while the housing had a few conveniences, the combination of ongoing facility issues, ineffective oversight, and inflexible policies made for a frustrating living experience overall.

There was no dining hall on campus, which made getting food a constant challenge. For students coming from abroad — especially those from low-income backgrounds like myself — this added a significant layer of stress. I had to budget carefully for groceries and meals, and without access to an affordable meal plan or on-campus options, the cost of food quickly added up. Buying groceries regularly and preparing meals every day was time-consuming, especially during busy academic periods. It also meant I had to rely on the one shared kitchen, which was often left in poor condition. The lack of basic food services felt like a huge oversight, particularly for a school that admits international students and should be more mindful of different financial and cultural needs. Overall, the absence of dining facilities wasn’t just an inconvenience — it was a financial and logistical burden that negatively impacted my experience.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My level of integration with the local culture was largely due to my own efforts rather than support from the school. Since I speak French and made a conscious effort to speak it with people outside of the academic setting, I was able to connect more with the local community. That definitely helped me feel more integrated, but it wasn’t something the school actively facilitated. The classes themselves were all in English, which made things easier academically but also created a bit of a bubble — it was easy to go through daily life without really engaging with the local culture unless you made an effort. I think the school could do more to help international students adjust and feel part of the broader community. I really wish there had been more planned trips, local events, or cultural activities organized specifically for new students. Those kinds of initiatives would’ve gone a long way in helping us get to know both the area and each other, especially early on. Integration shouldn't be left entirely up to the student — a bit more institutional support would’ve made a big difference.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My experience with healthcare during the program was unfortunately quite poor. I became seriously ill during my very first week, and because it happened over the weekend, the school was completely closed and offered no support. I had no idea where to go or who to contact, and there was no emergency protocol or accessible guidance for new students in situations like this. Thankfully, there was a nearby pharmacist who helped me get through it, but I was still feeling awful and very much on my own. Mental health care was even more disappointing. As I mentioned before, the support systems for mental health were severely lacking. The services that were available felt more like check-boxes than genuine care. There weren’t any major public health issues in the host city that I noticed, and I didn’t need any specific vaccines for the program. But overall, the lack of accessible, responsive care — both physical and mental — made me feel unsupported and vulnerable, especially as someone navigating a new country and system on my own. In short, the healthcare experience didn’t meet even basic expectations. The program needs to do much more to prepare and support students, especially during those crucial first weeks.

I felt super safe throughout my time in the host city. The neighborhood where I lived and studied was calm and well-lit, and I never had any safety-related incidents. Even walking around at night felt secure, which made a big difference in how comfortable I felt living there. For future students, I’d still recommend using common sense—like keeping an eye on your belongings and staying aware of your surroundings especially on packed metros—but overall, safety was definitely one of the strongest aspects of my experience.

Yes, because it gave me a much-needed break from intense academics and a chance to experience living abroad without overwhelming pressure. However, I also wish the program had been more academically rigorous to better challenge me and make the experience feel more rewarding from a learning perspective.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Living on a student’s budget was not very easy, primarily due to the high cost of food. Since there was no dining hall or affordable meal plan, I had to buy groceries and cook for myself, which added up quickly. Many basic food items were more expensive than I expected, and eating out wasn’t a viable option on a tight budget. Other personal expenses like and supplies were manageable, but the unpredictable and often high food costs in addition to the transportation (even though I only took public transportation) made budgeting stressful. It required constant careful planning and sometimes sacrificing convenience just to make ends meet. For future students, I’d recommend setting aside extra funds specifically for food, as it can be a significant hidden expense.

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

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• Dorm

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• Americans

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• Americans
• International Students

• The chance to live in and explore a beautiful city with rich culture and history.
• Getting the chance to travel Europe.
• The slower academic pace, which gave me a break from intense coursework and allowed more time for personal experiences.

• Provide a true campus atmosphere with better communal spaces and a dining hall to foster community.
• Improve housing facilities and maintenance, and create more flexible and student-friendly cleaning policies.
• Enhance mental health services and healthcare support, especially during weekends and for international students.