Paris: It Changed my Life and Future! Past Review
By Samantha B (History, Pennsylvania State University - Abington) for
CEPA Foundation: Strasbourg - EU Studies Semester Abroad Program
I learned many things about the French culture that contradicted many of my already assumed ideas. Now, I would like to double major and add French as one of my majors and I would love to be an international business lawyer so I can have the chance to be out of the country more.
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. |
I think the entire program was wonderful and I learned so much about France and its culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of my expectations were met and I was prepared enough to enter the country with no problems. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt safe in the hotel, there were no problems with it. |
| * Food: |
I loved all the food! There are so many places to get food in Paris, students just need to browse and look at pricing on lunches and dinners. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We met other international students and I actually became quite close with two students and the one was actually from Paris! All of the activities were wonderful and I really enjoyed the Musee Louvre and Versailles. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. The only thing is you need to watch for pick-pocketers (which did not happen to me thankfully) and there is a lot of traffic, only walk at cross walks and when you are allowed to walk. Be very careful even if the walk signal is on! |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used French every day and even made some friends that I keep in contact with to speak in French. Overall, it improved my french a lot. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do not judge a book by it's cover, every body is different but similar in certain ways! Any students would benefit from this trip, especially if you are interested in the French Language or History. Every student should go abroad. |
