API and Diderot, I will tell you why they are best choices! Past Review
By Weiyu L (French Language, Literature, Trinity University) - abroad from 01/04/2016 to 06/10/2016 with
API (Academic Programs International): Paris - Universite Paris Diderot
Knew the french classroom culture. Prepared for my future studies in Paris. Knew how french interact with each others. Knew the mainstream culture i.e. the type of books or movies they like
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. |
API and Diderot, both are wonderful choices to study abroad in. API has three most friendly staff. They never compromise on any request I made, and followed up with it meticulously. Their professionalism and sense of responsibility are impeccable. They also know how to take students to have fun in France, taking us to vineyard or cave light shows that foreigners would not easily think of going. Diderot is a great university. It is located in a very modern clean area of Paris, with interesting architectures all around, and many companies. Hence, you see professionals, well dressed, lunching every day in cafes and restos. National library and a grand cinema is just nearby, and the river is just right behind the school. Professors even took us sometimes to do activities by the river. Paris Diderot is very unique, because unlike other Paris universities, it is multi-discipline. You could take science as well as film or theatre classes. They offered a great theatre practice class that I signed up, and even gave me a chance to stage in a Parisian theatre. It is hard to beat the API&Diderot program! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I housed in Cite Universitaire, an area specially allocated for international students, but also french students. The great things about Cite is that we have spacious single room, with great views, two immense scenic parks inside and by the Cite, and innumerable parties that are always going on. |
| * Food: |
Very satisfied. Students restaurants charge inexpensively:3.25 euros, and the quality is great. One student restaurant is even located on a boat, just by Diderot University. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is difficult to make friends with locals in Paris. It is easy to pass by six months in Paris without making a french friend. But of course, it depends on the personality and adaptability. If you are polite, know the social code, while remaining open and original, as well as know the right occasions to meet locals (like Couchsurfing.com or meetup.com) you will have only have too many friends! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | 70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | use CAF. French government pays half or one third of rent for students or unemployed. You just need to bring your birth certificate when you leave U.S., and apply for it once you are there. Students restaurant: 3.5 euros per meal. |
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 |
I actually speak no english at all for all my eight courses. |
| 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? | High advanced. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | I should not have taken eight courses a semester! |
