Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Opportunity to dive into culture and fill French shoes for the semester Past Review

By (French Language, Literature, Gordon College) - abroad from 09/05/2015 to 12/19/2015 with

CIEE: Paris - French And Critical Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worth going to Paris. Even among the few things I might have wanted to change, the program truly gives you an opportunity to be a part of French culture and learn to be reliant on yourself in a new environment.

Review Photos

CIEE: Paris - Critical + Francophone Studies Photo CIEE: Paris - Critical + Francophone Studies Photo CIEE: Paris - Critical + Francophone Studies Photo CIEE: Paris - Critical + Francophone Studies Photo CIEE: Paris - Critical + Francophone Studies Photo

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

Great staff that make themselves available for anything you may be going through during your experience abroad.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great placement based on specific requests, but can be a lonely experience since you may end up living with busy families who are not often home.

* Food:

You eat around the city or get homemade meals from your host parents, so you can't go wrong with food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

After a few weeks you begin to feel as though you are a genuine part of the community you've entered, especially with the depth of orientation you go through with the program directors.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Staff always makes themselves available to help you find where you need to go, whether it be the pharmacy or an actual doctor. Also, French pharmacists are only slightly less qualified than a doctor and can help you with most issues themselves.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

In Paris, you're going to spend a lot of money on food. Meals are expensive in general, plus the city is expensive itself. In many ways, though, you can choose how much you'll spend. Go out to eat, use the kitchen in your host home, travel to another country, or stay local, it's all up to you.

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

My only complaint would be a lack of "policing" to maintain speaking French in the hallways while we were in school.

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? Intermediate Level 2
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 not give up speaking the language when locals are trying to instead learn English from you. Also, if you're in the presence of other English speakers who are learning the language, make a genuine commitment to speak the language you're learning together and help one another out. Odds are, you both know a few things the other might not.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Sharing an experience with others interested in similar topics.
  • The opportunity to travel in and out of the host country.
  • Learning to speak a new language with people who did not know my own language.
* What could be improved?
  • Enforcement of speaking French.
  • Speed in French language courses.
  • More regularly scheduled community events.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much time I would be spending alone and how much money I was going to spend.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!