A Formative and Fun Semester Past Review

By (Barnard College) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 05/31/2012 with

Columbia University: Paris - Reid Hall

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Way too much to write in this small box. It was one of the best choices I've ever made.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Paris 7 Reid Hall
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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? 200 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Create a spreadsheet where you document how much you spend on what (i.e. food, travel, going out) per week. It helped me realize when I needed to cut back and how much I could spend per week.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Literature classes
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? Live with a host family!

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Advisors
  • RH professors
  • Host family
* What could be improved?
  • Foreign Emersion
  • English at RH
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It goes by SO FAST