A Perfect Fit Past Review
By Adriana (Hamline University) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 04/30/2016 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I learned about myself and independence. I learned about management across cultures. I learned about other countries and cultures. It was the best semester I could have asked for.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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 |
The staff was like a family to me. They helped me through any problem and was always willing to go the extra mile for students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was able to stay with a host which allowed me to try French cuisine and learn more about French culture. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved being able to live with a French host and our trips were always great learning experiences, but I do wish it was easier to meet other French students. |
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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
The staff at IES were always willing to go the extra mile. My host was very kind and loved to help me with my French. I had many opportunities to take trips that taught me even more about the French culture. |
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) |
Living in a city is always expensive, but there were ways to make it cheaper! |
| 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? | Make sure you know how to cook a few basic meals before you go, eating out everyday adds up. Trips while abroad don't always have to be a different country, while in Paris I could use my metro pass to get over 2 hours outside of Paris! |
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 |
| 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? | Find a group of friends who are also committed to using the language and promise to use it when together. |
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 how much of an impact 4 months can have on your life. I didn't want to go home! |
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.' |
