Paris: The Life You've Always Dreamed Of Past Review
By Alexandra B (Language, University of California - Riverside) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Paris, France
Yes. I loved the entire experience. I wish I had chosen a longer program because there really is no place like Paris. I believe I will return back to France for an extended period of time someday. The French lifestyle is slow, enjoying every moment of the day.The experience opened my eyes up to all of the things America is lacking, and I realize how beeeeautiful the world is! I visited many of the surrounding countries and they never ceased to amaze me. The experience was eye-opening.
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. |
The schoolwork was rather stressful and more difficult and time-consuming than I was prepared for, but the overall experience was amazing. I didn't have very much time to wander and explore the beautiful city of Paris during school-days but I made sure to take advantage on the weekends. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was very helpful once I arrived to France. I loved the staff, and they offered a lot of fun activities which were optional. Communication through email was very efficient. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I bought all of my food on my own so it was easy to manage. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling around France during my free time was probably my favorite part. Northern and Southern France are beautiful and definitely worth seeing. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Paris is a big city. While I was there a few of my friends got pick-pocketed and had everything stolen. The pick-pocketers in Paris are extremely skilled, and somehow got away with taking from peoples purses while they were hanging on their shoulder with the sack in the front. There is the usual amount of city crime in Paris, but if you are smart and conscious, then it really isn't a problem. |
| 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? | Try not to spend any money on food! Go to the market and buy some pasta and veggies and cook for yourself. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 15B |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The program I did was an advanced language program. I had a professor for french class and a professor for phonetics. Most people in Paris speak English, it was difficult to find Parisians with patience to speak with the foreigners. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 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? | This program was great. I suggest this program to anyone who is trying to get credit for a language. I studied at La Sorbonne, a very well known and famous university in Paris, and the education was great. |
