Hollins in Paris Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were all incredibly interesting and I gained a lot. I also appreciated the light work load that allowed me to explore the city and my surroundings. I did, however, take issue with an architecture course I took. I left copious notes with the director in Paris so that they can remedy the situation, as everyone in the class had a negative experience. I was also disappointed with there only being two levels of French courses. I tested out of the highest French class and my French grammar and speaking is far from perfect. I needed to be in a French class, but the highest level was not useful to me and the professor did not want me to take it either. It was replaced by a literature course which was interesting, but did not benefit my French skills the same way a grammar/writing course would have.

On-site administration of your program

Overall, I think Joelle and Marie-Ange did a good job. However, they held terrible office hours and it seemed that we could only access them about half the time we needed to. they came in later than we did, left earlier, and took long lunches. I had also wanted to take a course at a local Parisian university and Joelle said she would contact the appropriate people to get me information, and despite reminding her several times, I never got any information and nothing ever came to fruition.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

As women, we were often harrassed by men. Some of us were followed home, men constantly came up to us to speak to us, and we were constantly hearing comments from French men. When we addressed the directors about the issue, the only advice they had was to not be alone at night and to not wear revealing clothing-- neither of which we had been doing previously. It was a bad situation and the directors were no help in suggesting ways to feel or be more safe in the city.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I would say I used French a majority of the time I was in France. My host family spoke no English, and it was often easier to speak French with Parisians then to speak English. However, my friends and I all spoke English to each other at school and away from school. Unlike a previous summer study abroad program I participated in, there was no system put in place to make sure we spoke French at least while in the school building or at school functions.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family