Paris Parfait Past Review
By Bridget B (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Providence College) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Paris, France
I have learned a tremendous amount about France and all of europe. My experience has exposed me to a plethora of interesting options for my future plans. This was the first time I lived in an apartment alone, it was like a dream getting used to this typically new experience in an atypical environment. I immediately felt at ease in my cool neighborhood packed with relaxed bars, live music, and \ many other students from all over the world. Paris is a melting pot of culture, art, tradition, and all of this could be seen and experienced on a walk to school. A typical day consisted of waking up to the view of the eiffel tower out of my window, I'd walk to the patisserie and pick up a croissant on my way to the metro. I would swipe my 69 euro monthly metro pass and take the #3 to Rambuteau, where I'd come up in front of the Centre Pompidu. I'd look left and see a strip of art galleries in the Marais district, look right and see the Notre Dame, then cross. A couple of blocks to Rue de Braque where I studied. Often times we met at museums or architectural sites, such as the mussee d'orsay, the louvre bien sur, l'orlangerie, Francois Mitterand Library, Chateau de Vincenne, Notre Dame, the simone beauvoir bridge. etc.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was phenomenal. Every employee knew the students by name and immediately responded to any issue brought up. In addition to fixing problems, they were also very enthusiastic and involved with planning our trips, school events, and making other activities available to us. I am very grateful to them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was very convenient. It was in the heart of a young nightlife scene and two metro stops away from school. Multiple pharmacies and grocery stores were in walking distance. |
| * Food: |
fine |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
weapons are illegal in Paris. I felt relatively safe although I do know of another student who was jumped and mugged. I needed a doctor one week and the school provided me with the doctors number who visited the house. I really enjoyed the french healthcare system, their immediacy and accessibility was impressive. I did not have any prevalent health issues or need vaccines. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | cellphones, I would figure something out before arriving at the host country. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Figure out your cellphone before. Get ready for the metro. Go to the demonstrations and strikes. |
