Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I would do this program again for Paris, but not for AUP. November 02, 2025

By (Political Science and Government, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/26/2024 to 12/17/2024 with

American University of Paris: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I felt as though I gained a lot from the experience of living in a foreign city. The school itself was underwhelming from an academic standpoint.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I bought and prepared by own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Did not have much personal experience with health care.

* Safety:

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

I would choose a more rigorous school in Paris, like Science Po.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200+
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shopping at discount grocery stores, like Aldi, helped me a lot.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Paris
  • People I met
  • AUP programs/clubs
* What could be improved?
  • Academic experience
  • Communication with third-party housing partners
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that you would interact with very few Parisians while going to AUP, as most of the student body is international students.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.