A Year with IES Abroad in Paris Past Review
By Cassidy Basinski (Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 09/09/2015 to 04/30/2016 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I learned independence, adaptability, and how to be Parisian! It was the most worthwhile thing I have ever done
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. |
Challenging but very manageable |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Best staff ever! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was so kind and taught me so much about French culture |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt immersed but wish it was easier to meet French people my age |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to see a doctor twice during the year and it was very easy and affordable. The first time I went to a doctor's office and the second was a home visit. The center tells you which doctors to see so they do speak English |
| * Safety: |
I was there during the November 2015 attacks but besides that, I never feared for my safety. Paris was an incredibly safe city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was challenging at times but the staff was incredible and I learned so much |
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 a relatively expensive city but can be affordable if you're smart. I was able to spend 10 months there and and travel to over 20 cities without it totally breaking the bank. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | On weeks where I didn't travel outside the country, I was spending probably $100 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stay in hostels and airbnbs! |
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? | High School classes |
| 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? | Staying with a host family is the best way to learn the language. |
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? | 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 had known that things would definitely be difficult while I first adjusted, but that it all would work out and turn into a wonderful experience. |
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.' |
