Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Boston University Paris Internship Program—A Fruitful Study Abroad Experience Past Review

By (International and Global Studies; French; Journalism, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/11/2015 to 05/02/2015 with

Boston University: Paris - Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My French language has greatly improved and I have got a much better understanding of the French culture and the European Union (EU). I have realized some major behavioral differences and ideological similarities between the French and the Americans. Although my internship in Paris only partially met my expectations, it was still worthwhile for me to choose this study abroad program. In addition to participating in all the required activities of this program, I also had some precious opportunities to exclusively meet French Sinologist Marianne Bastid-Bruguière, visit some Paris-based graduate schools and visit the studio of French TV network France 24 located in Issy-les-Moulineaux in the Greater Paris Area (Île-de-France).

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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:

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Approximately 130 Euros per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Yes, my advice: try not to purchase any non-­essential products.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Elective courses offered in this study abroad program
  • Assistance from the EUSA Internship Placement Team
  • Geographic location of this study abroad program (Paris, France)
* What could be improved?
  • Provide a field trip opportunity to let professors and students visit the EU headquarters in Brussels or the European Parliament in Strasbourg (with reimbursements)
  • Offer some international diplomacy and/or international journalism-oriented elective courses during the first part of the semester before students’ internships begin
  • It would be great if there were a Technology Help desk at Boston University Paris Academic Center
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A major European think tank is not available for short-term foreign interns and there is no Chinese national working for French international news networks except Radio France Internationale (RFI).