C’était très bien! Past Review
By Oliver Toal (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 05/30/2016 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a love for a new culture that I had never experienced before. I already loved the French food I had tried before, but I was able to try so much more, much of it home-cooked by my host mom. Living with a host family allowed me to experience the culture more than I otherwise would have. It was great to meet French and other international students, but I wish I had spent more time with them instead of other Americans. J'ai aussi appris le langue de française (I also learned the French language). That is one skill I hope to keep developing and practicing, and even go back to live in France someday.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Stay with a host family! It's the best! (usually) |
| * Food: |
French food is the best hands down! |
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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: |
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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) |
Traveling really adds up, including metro passes, even with the pass Navigo. Everything is just rather expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to not eat out too much, as that adds up quickly, as does travel. |
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 end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | n/a |
| 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? | Stay with a host family, and make sure you practice a lot. If you take trips to other parts of France and stay with someone at an Air BNB you will have lots of time to practice as well. |
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 can't really think of anything. Maybe I wish I had known French before I went, but then I wouldn't have been in my awesome beginner French class with my amazing professor. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
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