"Paris, France: Oh la la! ... No, but seriously, this study abroad experience can change your life" Past Review
By Christian K (French/Anthropology, Rollins College) for
Hollins University: Paris - Hollins in Paris
YES IT WAS WORTHWHILE! ARE YOU KIDDING? IT WAS AMAZING!! YOU'LL NEVER BE THE SAME.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Excellent. Challenging, but manageable. Interesting course topics. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Administration of the Hollins Abroad Paris Program is EXCELLENT. Joelle and Marie-Ange were terrific in every capacity. I loved them, and felt very comfortable talking to them about anything. They were very helpful, respectful, knowledgeable, professional, and I could still relate very well with them and, as I said, talk to them about anything. They are also very good at encouraging you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED MY HOST FAMILY. I lived in the 8th arrondissement of Paris--very safe neighborhood. No need to buy any items (like sheets) to settle in; that's taken care of for you. I was treated as a guest, but also like extended family. It was a wonderful experience. |
| * Food: |
The food was AMAZING!!!! Every night (Sunday through Thursday), my host mom would have a FIVE-COURSE MEAL prepared for me. Delicious and very filling. |
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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: |
My neighborhood was very safe. The administration of the program lets you know which parts of town aren't so safe, and really stresses the importance of traveling in pairs, especially at night and especially for women. The health care was... different. In order to complete our long-stay visas, we had to get a kind of physical. This was a bit uncomfortable (especially for the females in the group), but was ultimately no big deal. I got a cold when I was there, but didn't need any medical assistance... I just ate a lot of good food and slept a lot and recovered just fine. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | IMPORTANT: I GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED HOW EXPENSIVE THIS STUDY-ABROAD EXPERIENCE WOULD BE, OVERALL. THE PRICE OF THINGS IN PARIS IS MUCH HIGHER THAN I HAD IMAGINED, AND THE EXCHANGE RATE MAKES THIS EVEN WORSE. MY DAD REALLY HAD TO HELP ME OUT. IF HE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO HELP ME WITH MONEY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UP A PARISIAN CREEK. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | IMPORTANT: I GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED HOW EXPENSIVE THIS STUDY-ABROAD EXPERIENCE WOULD BE, OVERALL. THE PRICE OF THINGS IN PARIS IS MUCH HIGHER THAN I HAD IMAGINED, AND THE EXCHANGE RATE MAKES THIS EVEN WORSE. MY DAD REALLY HAD TO HELP ME OUT. IF HE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO HELP ME WITH MONEY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UP A PARISIAN CREEK. |
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? | FRN 202 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
You use French with your professors, host families, and in day to day interactions with Parisians. Some people speak English, but you can't count on it--especially if you want to present yourself as someone who respects the French culture, which includes the French language. You don't want to be the "ugly American." |
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? | Go to France if you can speak French. |
