Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I truly enjoyed my academic experience. The conferences were a bit boring to be perfectly honest, and a bit challenging as well because of the way that multiple levels are put together (Intermediate, Advanced, and Superior were all in the same conferences). However, my grammar class and my phonetics class were truly helpful to me and really allowed me to improve not only my understanding of French and proper structure, but also in my pronunciation of the words that allow one to communicate even more effectively.

On-site administration of your program

The administrators were very nice, but at times they were a bit unaccessible and difficult to approach. They had a great knowledge of the city and were overall very nice and helpful.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I enjoyed my housing. I stayed at the Fondation des Etats Unis which is apart of the larger Cité Universitaire which is a community of several houses for different countries/regions (i.e. Mexico, Tunisia, Argentina). There is someone at the front 24 hrs a day 7 days a week. It was a great experience...bathrooms are co-ed though this did not prove to be a problem at all...there are full doors that lock and there are never really a lot of people in there. <br /><br /> Housing was great, it was safe and it was right across from the infamous RER B and the tram. However, nightlife and cheap restaurants cannot be found anywhere close, which can be inconvenient when you want to get something quick. However, food is just 1 stop away on the RER.

France is famously the place to eat great food, but that food is at a high price...cheap food includes kebabs, Macdo, Subway, crêpes, sandwiches (ham and cheese). Due to this restricted diet, I did not enjoy my food experience. However, if you want to go out, Mussels and fries (usually for 12 euros...cheap) is a typical dish for those who like shell fish. Steak is also popular. Don't miss the nutella crêpes...they are amazing!!!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

You can never be bored in Paris, at any given time there are a plethora of things to do. There are so many museums for enthusiasts of all kinds, but my favorites were Quai Branley (Art from Africa, Asia, and the Americas), the Louvre, and Musée d'Orsay. The trips were very exciting...I truly enjoyed all of them. My favorites were the trip to Province and the trip to Normandy. We went to Caen, Marseille, and Aix-en-Province. We also went to the Opera, which is a wonderful experience. Also, every 1st Sunday of the month, all the museums are free. Last but not least is the wonderful Eiffel Tower, it is cliché, but it's cliché for a reason!!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any serious health issues during my trip, but during the swine flue outbreak, our administrators did check on us. I did feel safe in the neighborhood I lived in and all my friends felt the same, whether home stay or apartment.

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

In a place like France, you must use French. The people do not know as much English as you would think, however, if you try to speak French, they are very understanding and very nice. Although I spoke English a lot with the people in my API program, everywhere else I spoke French, in class, restaurants, on the streets. It was very helpful and my language skills greatly improved.

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• Dorm

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• International Students