An American in Paris = An American in Paris Past Review
By Amy P (French Language and Literature., Saint Anselm College) for
API (Academic Programs International): Paris- Cours De Civilisation Francaise De La Sorbonne
YES. My time abroad helped me to explore the world - and to explore my own identity.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
API seemed to be understaffed and the office space was small. However, they really helped me to feel prepared and safe -- I always felt as if I had someone trustworthy and competent to talk to if a problem arose. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Linens were provided. It was a large, single dorm room. API offered a "kitchen kit" for those planning to use the dorm kitchen. Dorm was on a large campus very close to tram, metro, and RER. Campus was for international students - good opportunity to meet interesting people and speak French! |
| * Food: |
Not "haute cuisine" but cheap and close-by. Good for students! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
API arranged some wonderful educational excursions. API was extremely organized. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Use your street smarts. Be ware of pick-pockets. Do not speak loudly in English - you will look like a loud, stupid American tourist just begging to have his wallet stolen! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 30 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No cafeteria on campus - must take metro to nearest crous cafeteria - so I prepared food in the dorm kitchen more often than not. So- grocery expenses were unanticipated. Also- during orientation we ate out A LOT. Make sure you arrive with enough $$ for the first week of orientation! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I am a French Literature major, so I have been enrolled in advanced French courses since my first year in college. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
While many people in the city were able to understand English, I used the host country language whenever possible in everyday interactions - simply to be courteous. It was thus possible to practice language through these everyday interactions. I was also able to practice language with my classmates, as they were from all over Europe (and the world) and so it would be rude to assume that English was the common language between us. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Take risks! API will be there to hold your hand, but if you find yourself in the City of Light, dare! (In French, "Osez!") |
