Paris: A Moveable Feat (Totally cliche, I know, but its perfect) Past Review
By Matthew M (Management, Hofstra University) - abroad from 08/16/2012 to 12/23/2012 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Paris, France
I gained a great understanding of Parisian culture and history. There is no way to completely learn another`s culture until you have completely immersed yourself in it. I learned the importance of being independent, and of course how to function outside of your comfort zone.
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. |
The classes were not very challenging, but very informative. Each class I took applied directly the world I would enter once I stepped off the campus. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Stay in the dorms! Do not live in apartments or you become to secluded and have less chance of meeting the locals. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never got sick, so Im not sure. |
| * Safety: |
As long as you stayed on the city side of la peripherique you should be relatively safe. |
| 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 lived on about 90 euros every two weeks from my mother back home for about 4 months. So you just have to budget your money wisely, and I was lucky enough to have people in my dorm share their food with me. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 euros for about 2 weeks. A lot of pasta and bread. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you have a clear budget before you go abroad, also look for deals and savings online if you`re looking to attend a museum, event, or travel outside of your host city. |
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? | Advanced |
| 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? | French level 4 |
| 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? | Study all that you can. Change everything in your life to that language. Your computer, Facebook, iPod, etc. Put the languages on them in the language you're trying to learn. Also try to find a fluent speaker who can help you practice (it`s best if they also speak english). Finally when you`re abroad, even if you`re obviously American, continue speaking their language, even if they respond in english. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | There is nothing that comes to mind...I enjoyed learning everything first hand as I was there. I wouldn't want anything I experienced to be giving away before hand. |
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.' |
