Paris was a Great Experience, No Questions Asked Past Review

By (Foreign Languages, University of Memphis) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Paris, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live on my own and to take care of myself. I had a blast, and it has really opened doors for me internationally.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Sorbonne Universitaire
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I took the most amazing wine class that has honestly changed my life. I learnt so much about the art of making wine and tasting wine. The Teacher was amazing. And to this day, I still appreciate everything she taught me! If you have the chance to take this class, it is 100% worth it. I also took an International Marketing class that was great! Our teacher was very interesting, and I loved his class as well. The classes I took at the Sorbonne were not amazing. I would just stick the the French classes at the CEA campus.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were so helpful in adapting us to the culture. No complaints.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was clean. I stayed at AEPP in the 11th arrondissement. The people were nice, but I did not learn much French staying there because the international language is English. It was also difficult because I had 3 other roommates, 1 of which we did not get along at all. And the rest of the students, or a good amount lived at Cité U.

* Food:

Very expensive to eat out, so I mainly consumed bread and cheese. Stick to crepes and baguettes. But the wine was amazing and worth every Euro.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved our trip to the Loire Valley provided by CEA. I was also able to travel a lot while there, a definite pro to living in such an international city. Plus Paris is absolutely beautiful to explore. Take advantage of its historical aspects.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safety was ok. There are a lot of homeless people and a lot of small theft occurrences. Health, a lot of people smoked, and that affected me.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

In Paris, It was a bit harder to practice speaking because everyone already speaks English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The CEA staff was awesome!!
  • The traveling was worth it!
  • Paris was beautiful!
* What could be improved?
  • living situations? Some people had some issues living in the apartments.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Prepare a larger budget when you go to Europe.