Eye-opening! Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/12/2016 to 05/04/2016 with
Columbia University, GSAPP: Traveling - The Shape of Two Cities: New York/Paris Certificate
Experiencing big cities is essential for learning about architecture and urban planning. I wanted to see what it was like outside my liberal arts school bubble, and the experience was eye-opening! NY/P gave me more of a direction in my final year at Wellesley.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We were exposed to superb architectural resources in both cities - the lectures at GSAPP are terrific, and Avery library is the largest architectural library in North America. Our professors were knowledgeable practitioners very willing to help, so long that you put in the effort. The design studios are intensive; more abstract in NYC and more grounded in Paris. It helps if you've taken some architecture/urban planning before, but it's totally fine if you haven't! I suppose the academic atmosphere also depends heavily on the group. Our year continued to produce a lot during the second semester even though most of us got into grad school, though we have heard of past groups who produced very little in the second semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration in New York was wonderful, and our TAs were helpful along every step of the way, in terms of both administration and development of architectural skills. The administration of our semester in Paris was more laissez-faire than many of us would have liked, with unclear instructions for printing, deadlines, travel itineraries (though we did get a study trip to the Netherlands!), etc. There was also a communication lag between our studio professors and the administrator. Some of us didn't mind so much, but it did impede the work of others. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It would have been an extra bonus if we were provided housing, but a studio mate and I had a great time living together both semesters. It does help to live close to campus, especially in the New York semester, where many prefer to work in studio until early in the morning. |
| * Food: |
(It's New York City and Paris) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had joined the program hoping to improve my French. All the programs in the Paris semester are taught in English, except for brief French language lessons at the beginning of the semester. Most of us wish that we could have had more exposure to Parisian culture beyond ordering at restaurants and bakeries, and the architectural walking tours in Development of Paris (which were fantastic, by the way). I was able to register for a cinema class at Reid Hall in French, but it was a hassle and the schedule is out of line with that of NY/P. Outside class, we found ourselves mostly hanging out amongst ourselves. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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 is possible, but both cities are very expensive and very tempting. In New York, modeling materials took up a surprising amount of money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | New York - 200; Paris - 250 |
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 |
We had a mandatory language class, but it was very brief. There were also too many different language levels in the class that it was difficult for the instructors to help every student improve. I took a cinema course in French at Reid Hall, but it took a fair amount of trouble to register. |
| 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? | 200-level; a literary course analyzing French comedy through the ages |
| 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? | If you intend to practice French, grasp every opportunity you can to speak/read it. Don't be shy! It would also help to have French friends. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | Most of my courses are about architecture, which leaves little room/energy to keep up with other interests. Thus it's been almost a year since I kept up with my minor. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
