Past Review
By Adina G (English / History / Film Studies, Barnard College) for
Columbia University: Paris - Reid Hall
I learned a lot in many domains - social, educational, etc. I met many interesting people and places and gained the confidence to go to a new place and build a community and life for myself there. This is invaluable. I believe that this semester will significantly effect my life in positive ways.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Paris IV - Sorbonne, Paris I - Pantheon Sorbonne |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2010 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I visited many foreign countries and met many people from all around the world. In this way, my abroad experience was much more than the sum of its parts. I learned an infinite amount OUTSIDE the classroom. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators were extremely warm and available, something necessary for students studying in a foreign country. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I became close with both my host mother and the other student living with us. <br /><br /> I lived with a French host-mom and a Brazilian student. |
| * Food: |
My host mom cooked very healthily which was enjoyable for me. |
|
* 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than $100. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend too much on food! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate II |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I insisted on speaking French to anyone who agreed to speak French with me. It was largely outside the classroom that my language speaking skills improved. In the classroom, my written skills improved with the help of those who worked with me on my assignments. Further, sitting in classes helped me improve my French comprehension skills tremendously. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
