A life-changing year! Past Review
By A student (Yale University) - abroad from 08/31/2015 to 05/20/2016 with
CUPA: Paris - Study Abroad in Paris
Study abroad was ver worthwhile. It really helped me build my social skills and my people skills. I was able to feel confident speaking in french and navigate living in a foreign city. Getting to travel around France and Europe was very valuable. I learned about different cultures and went on great adventures. Academically, I was able to take a wide array of classes in french literature with amazing professors at local universities where I was also able to interact with local and international students.
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. |
CUPA offers a rich array of resources, such individual language tutoring and proofreading services. In-house courses are rigorous. Student also take classes at a french university or at multiple universities of their choice, so rigor depends on which university/which courses a students pursues. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was placed in the host family of my dreams. |
* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
CUPA allows for students to go out on their own. It is up to a student to integrate into local culture as much or as little as he or she wants. |
* 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
CUPA has so many resources that were a great help when it came to adjusting to the french university system. I also loved that CUPA allows students to be very independent and integrated in the local culture while also being able to fall back on the CUPA resources if need be. |
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) |
Most meals were included as part of the homestay, which meant spending less money on food per week. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $120 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is a good idea to get a debit or credit card with no international fees. Eating at a university cafeteria saves money as well! |
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 |
There was a mandatory language pledge. French was mandatory on the program's premises. |
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 |
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't hesitate to make friends with locals in classes or even on the street. This is the best way to practice the language. |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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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? | The program was very transparent and going in, I knew what I was getting myself into. |
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! |