What could go wrong, you're in Paris Past Review
By A student (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 12/22/2012 with
CIEE: Paris - French And Critical Studies
It was definitely worth the while. The program did an excellent job of highlighting the cultural differences, in particular within the education systems, between the US and France. It helped to understand where most French people are coming from when they seem rude to us. (i.e., in a French classroom, if you raise your hand to comment on a text and the teacher doesn't think you understood it, you will get shut up... &etc)
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Pretty rigorous, but fantastic professors! Critical studies program is designed for those who have already studied French, and are interested especially in philosophy, which I am, but I hadn't studied it before. I thought there would be more introduction to the subject and had to catch up a bit. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Helpful and experienced staff. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I decided to change from my original homestay, and the center really helped me find a placed I loved. |
| * Food: |
It's France :) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It wasn't difficult to make friends. I only took one course at Paris university, and it might have been even better to take two, but there are great people anywhere you go. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Center helped me through some health issues and getting insurance coverage. Doctors did speak English, which was more comfortable for me for healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
Some people did have things stolen, be careful of course. |
| 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) |
It's an expensive city, and it was tempting to eat out all the time as well... |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to Dia, not monoprix, and learn how the French stove works!! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 212 |
| 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? | Do the home stay!! |
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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| 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? |
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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? | Go study in a public library! You won't feel like you're wasting 'paris time' studying, cause you're surrounded by French people, but you'll get the work done! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
