Paris: A Beautiful City Past Review
By Sara P (Political Science and Russian Regional Studies, Barnard College) for
Columbia University: Paris - Reid Hall
Yes
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Just to reiterate, I had at least one surprise exam and avoided a second because I personally rescheduled it with a professor in the university. It would be nice to have a little more warning. The classes at Reid Hall were excellent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They seemed relatively overwhelmed. It also took a lot of effort to coordinate classes. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family was incredible. I was treated as family. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Paris was far more expensive than I'd anticipated. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate French II |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Host family, friends, etc. I used French daily, but ended up speaking primarily English with my American 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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