A cultural exploration of France Past Review
By noah v (linguistics/French, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 09/05/2012 to 12/04/2012 with
Brigham Young University: Paris - Paris Study Abroad
I learned an incredible amount about france, the culture, and even the language. What I learned is invaluable and I am very grateful I went. I would consider it worthwhile. However, as I said, I learned a lot of what I did on my own, and I would have liked to have had a program structured around learning language AS WELL as history and culture.
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. |
Classes were not that difficult, considering the fact that I am in college. I felt that we should have spent a considerable more effort learning french and speaking french. I felt some time was wasted in those regards. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt that I was able to integrate very well to the culture, however that was mostly because I spent a lot of time on my own. Most of what was done in the group was spent while speaking english. Though I still was able to learn a lot. |
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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? |
No
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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) |
Paris is a very expensive place. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100+ dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | no |
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 |
Already mentioned, but language was not very encouraged and there was a general feel that the purpose of the study abroad was not centered around language study, which should not be the case. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 321 advanced grammar |
| 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? | One of the main challenges in french is learning to listen and comprehend. Listening to french music, watching french movies (with discretion) and reading books in french are the best ways to learn on your own. Other than that stay away from non natives/speak to native speakers as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | That I wasn't going to speak french as much |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
