IES BIA gives students an amazing Parisian Experience! Past Review

By (International Business., Elmhurst University) - abroad from 09/04/2014 to 12/14/2013 with

IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I chose my program because I am an International Business major and I wanted something that would give me major related classes. I also chose my program because it seemed that they were really helpful in immersing you in the French culture. I lived in a home stay with another student and with a retired couple in the seventeenth arrondissement. I had my own bedroom, bathroom, and balcony. And everything in the house was extremely nice, and my host parents were super helpful with the French language and with ways to get around the city. It took me only thirty to forty minutes to get home on the Metro and everything in the city was extremely accessible through public transportation. The IES BIA program really created an environment where I could have little French experiences all the time. We went on tons of trips, sponsored many many mini field trips. I got to see a Parisian Mosque, bake in a Parisian bakery, drink champagne in Champagne, visit the beaches of Normandy, see a Parisian ballet, watch a Parisian rugby game, and see a French comedian. I got to do so many amazing things through this program and they were all included in my tuition. Choosing this program was the best choice I've ever made in my whole life!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at your home stay, don't eat out at restaurants.

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 301
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Field Trips
  • Staff
  • My French Teacher!
* What could be improved?
  • Better connections to locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to save money on a daily basis