Magic in the City of Lights Past Review
By Amanda P (Business/International Relations, University of Rochester) - abroad from 09/03/2014 to 12/13/2014 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
Going abroad was one of the best decisions of my college career. I learned about living in a foreign country, the responsibility of independence, and how to budget my money. Additionally I learned the value of problem solving and knowing when to ask for help while also learning to appreciate the moment and the idea that getting lost in exploration isn't such a bad thing after all.
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. |
Nice pace, some classes were more demanding than others but nothing unmanageable. Definitely learned many new things and was challenged. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was wonderful in Paris. Always helpful and upbeat. They were always available and wanted to get to know every student. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I liked my living arrangement with a host family. The host family is a great way to practice french as well as have a resource for exploring the city. I also enjoyed having a housemate from the program live with me. |
| * Food: |
Never better . |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It's difficult to feel integrated when you're not taking classes with local french students but I still felt integrated into the city after a time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
IES staff was happy to help me set up a doctor's appointment when I got sick |
| * Safety: |
Be smart, travel in pairs or groups when going out. It's only as dangerous as you make it |
| 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? | $100-200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Markets or fresh produce stands are a good way to get food and usually very cheap. Additionally, making meals for a few days helps. Don't eat out too often and potlucks are a great way to get everyone together and budget your money |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Intermediate French |
| 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? | A host family is always helpful. It's also good to go out and talk to other French students and try to speak with them. Don't get discouraged. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 would've planned out things I wanted to see before going. It was a bit of a mad scramble at the end to fit everything in before we left |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
