Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A City in Dreams Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/28/2011 to 12/16/2011 with

France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Being immersed in the culture, connecting with French people, Musical and artistic insight, Learning to enjoy gastronomie... It was definitely more than worthwhile.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Paris IV - Sorbonne
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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? Yes

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent

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?
  • Best host family in the world
  • Food=wine, pastry, cakes, macarons, baguettes, just food in general
  • studying French literature and history with French students
* What could be improved?
  • general tips about french customs like table manners, making friends, popular culture
  • variety of courses offered by Sweet Briar
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That in order to ace in Sorbonne classes, you really have to give up travelling. But I don't regret having given it up.