Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was very educational and fun! Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 05/07/2012 to 05/30/2012 with

Berea College: Paris - The Wonders of Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about a whole other culture and some French. It was most definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thought it was rigorous with the amount of history and sites we had to learn and visit, but we had all the resources we needed to have a successful learning experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I was somewhat disappointed because they fed us somewhat American food like hamburgers but I had wanted French food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

I was expecting to spend a lot more than I had to since the dollar was worth less than the Euro but I actually came home with money as there were plenty of places to eat that weren't too expensive and they fed us 4 times a week.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • I most enjoyed being surrounded by people of another culture and all the history in Paris.
* What could be improved?
  • I think it would have helped if we had not had so many sites to see within the short amount of time we were there.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more French. It was not necessary as people would speak English, but I would have blended in better and gotten around easier had I known more of their language.