Les croissants Past Review
By katie.samuelsen (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/20/2016 to 04/30/2016 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I learned a lot about myself abroad. I learned how to take days for myself and go to a museum alone if I couldn't find anyone to join me when I was free. I learned how to live away from my family and friends and to be more independent. It was definitely worthwhile, everyone should study abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes moved very slowly and covered only basic topics. |
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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? |
My host mother was amazing- completely made the experience for me |
| * Food: |
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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? |
No
I would do the French studies program. Though there were some really cool people in the program, it was obvious they weren't interested in really engaging in the culture. The French studies program allows you to better dive into French life and culture. If you speak anywhere above an intermediate level of French I suggest this!! |
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? | 150 :( |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It's always a good idea to choose a free meal at your homestay over going out to dinner |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced french 2 |
| 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? | LIVE IN A HOME STAY!!!!! |
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? | 0 |
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 that it's okay to be homesick, and it's okay to not do something cool and cultural every single day. |
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.' |
