Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great, but always could spend more in Paris. Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 08/31/2015 to 12/18/2015 with

Boston University: Paris - Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about French culture and improved my French.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

This was biggest issue with this program. I really wish I'd been able to interact with more Parisians my age.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt completely safe 90% of the time I was in Paris, but I was also there during the Isis attacks so I obviously didn't feel safe after that, however that's kind of a special circumstance.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would prefer a program where I was in classes with international students and/or French students.

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? Probably between 50 and 100

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Two years of undergraduate French
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? The best way is to make friends with locals. The biggest obstacle in my language learning was that all my friends were English speaking.

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
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?
  • My host mom was great.
  • My teachers were great.
* What could be improved?
  • More French
  • I only had dinner with my host mom once a week. More meals being provided would have been nice.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I should take advantage of every opportunity to travel and go out.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!