J'ai etudie la bonne vie française: I studied the good life, French style. Past Review

By (Management Information Systems, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/10/2012 to 12/05/2012 with

Ecole Superieure De Commerce De Paris: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from this experience, such as personality traits and habits that are consistent even when no one knows who I am. I also learned a lot of traits and mannerisms from different cultures. Overall, I had an amazing experience and would do it all over again.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I decided to take easier classes than I normally would have at my home university, therefore I found the classes very easy.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was a little difficult in the beginning to find housing in Paris, especially without any help from the host university or my home university.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues abroad.

* 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? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get credit cards that offer zero international transaction fees and get bank cards that get free atm withdrawals.

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
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? Become friends with a local and practice conversation at a coffee shop.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • New Friends
  • The French Culture
  • Traveling Around Europe
* What could be improved?
  • Housing Assistance
  • Integration with local students
  • Financial Traveling Tips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about ways I could save money by getting a better credit card, such as getting a credit card that didn't charge an international transaction fee.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.