Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

CISabroad in Paris Past Review

By (Columbia College Chicago) - abroad from 06/04/2017 to 07/01/2017 with

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Summer in Paris - Language & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to learn a lot about how well I would do living in another country. It was definitely worthwhile because I wouldn't have gotten this experience any other way.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

As far as learning French, it would have been much better to stay with a host family, rather than in an apartment with other study abroad students (one of my roommates didn't know any French yet, so we all spoke English within the apartment). I'd definitely recommend living with a host family when you're abroad. Also, it was difficult to make friends who lived in Paris because the school was filled with study abroad students (made friends from the UK, India, China, etc. but not from France). I wish that CIS Abroad would have organized some social meeting between us and some French students who were interested in learning about America.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved the group activities that our program director organized and worked with us to customize (going to museums, group dinners, tours of neighborhoods, etc.)!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Although it was very nice to have an apartment in Paris, it would have been much better for learning French if all the students stayed with host families. Also, the apartment was not in the neighborhood where the CISabroad website said it would be, which I didn't know until I got there.

* Food:

As a vegetarian, it was difficult to find options for me when we had group dinners at a restaurant.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The school was filled with study abroad students and so was my apartment. I didn't have any good opportunities to get to know real Parisians. I got to know people from India, China, the UK, but not from France.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Luckily I didn't have any health issues while I was abroad. I'm not sure what I could have done if I did though.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Paris. I went around by myself at night and never had any problems.

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

Some of information that I got from their website ended up being different than what happened (class schedule and location of living arrangements).

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you can, cook your own meals rather than getting food at a restaurant all the time.

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
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? Surround yourself with people who speak that language or commit to only speaking that language around your study abroad friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • Group activities
  • Living in Paris
* What could be improved?
  • Accuracy on information on website
  • Socializing with locals
  • Full language immersion at home
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? With any study abroad program, email someone from the program and ask lots of questions about the program because their website information might be inaccurate.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.