Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning to Navigate the Real World...In FRENCH! Past Review

By (Roger Williams University) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 05/18/2012 with

CIEE: Paris - French And Critical Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live on my own. My computer broke and I had to call a technician in French and purchase a new one in France; I ran into difficulties with my Visa because I got pneumonia, so I had to deal with the immigration and health systems as well. And planning my own trips helped teach me about budgeting and being an independent traveler.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? At least 100 USD

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? FREN350 (17th century French theatre)
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Speak the language with your American counterparts and try to meet French people

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The amount of French I spoke
* What could be improved?
  • Housing was awkward; dealing with both cultural differences and generational differences was difficult
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Paris is really expensive! And anything to do with the cost and process of finalizing my Visa.