Can someone invent a time machine so I can relive it all over again? Past Review
By Katie J (Business/Corporate Communications., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 05/02/2014 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I can't put into words what I gained from my experience abroad. It was the most incredible journey that I have ever been on and I learned things about myself that I never knew before. I learned that there is more to the world than I ever dreamed of.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| 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. |
The classes were all incredibly interesting and many were specific to European culture and taught by European professors which is a nice change of pace from the usual American college classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were always very helpful and there whenever we needed them--for whatever reason or at whatever time. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did independent housing. |
| * Food: |
How can you complain about the food in Paris? |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
French culture is hard to adjust to, especially if you don't speak French. Once I got the hang of things, I really began to feel comfortable and immerse myself in the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Paris is the most expensive city in the world and because of that it is hard to live on a budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150++ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Making your own meals helps so that you can save up for trips and other expensive things. Public transportation is also a huge money saver that ends up paying for itself. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
You could not live in Paris without trying to speak French, and my program helped me enormously with that. I entered the program speaking none and let the program being proficient. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | No French, but a lot of Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice makes perfect. And repetition. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew a little more of the language but other than that, not knowing much before and getting to learn it yourself is the best thing about it. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
