Life Lessons in Paris Past Review
By Lucie W (French; History, Wellesley College) for
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I was able to have some incredible experiences on my study abroad program, despite not liking the program that I was in. I met lifelong friends and I traveled to some beautiful places that I will always remember. I would absolutely recommend going on a study abroad program to other students.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Sorbonne - Paris IV; Sweetbriar College |
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Poor academic coordination. Felt like I was not being helped in choosing my courses, and that the academic adviser was not invested in the students best interest. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived first with a roommate and then alone, in my new apartment. |
| * Food: |
great restaurants in Paris. Grocery shopping at Monoprix, and Monop. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In Tours the activities were exciting, but once in Paris I did not feel like the program was involved in my cultural experience at all. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Did not feel very safe, given the variety of terrorist threats. I was harassed on the metro system and many times decided to take cabs instead. As a blonde girl I was given alot of looks, and I didn't feel like the French were very welcoming. Me and some friends were followed a couple of times home by men. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I am not sure my per week spending, but I know that not including apartment I spent roughly 12,000-13,000 on personal expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would have created a better budget system for myself before going. I also would have gotten a french bank account in advance, because the fees were terrible. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 224 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced french in my classes, and with my french friend that I had lived with when I was a junior in high school. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would say that you need to be incredibly independent before going on this program. |
