Appreciated It More After My Return Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Due to heavy workloads at my home university, the workload was not a problem in my program. I also adjusted well to the teaching methods of my professors. They taught the same way my professors do, which I think was due to the fact that the program was American, although conducted in French. My classes at the music school were the same.

On-site administration of your program

Whenever I had an issue with classes, getting around, or scheduling trips, the administration for my program was always there to help and would respond quickly to my inquiries.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a small family, along with another student from my program. My host family was extremely nice and accomodating, but they were mildly conservative. (They would disconnect the internet at midnight each night.) Everything else about them was wonderful, though! I lived about a 30-minute metro ride from downtown Paris, but it was about the same commute for all of my friends.

My host mother's food was excellent, and I was never disappointed by the food when I ate at a restaurant. The best way to find new places to eat is to cruise Google. My friends and I would Google a price, a type of cuisine, a neighborhood, or a metro stop to find a restaurant. I'm not a vegetarian, but I had friends who were and they had a harder time explaining why they didn't want meat to waiters and their host families!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

All of the trips and visits arranged by my program and my professors were excellent. I traveled to the home of Claude Monet, visited most of the museums, walked on the beaches of Normandy, and ate at plenty of restaurants.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never encountered any safety issues, but I heard about stolen wallets and such. All I can say is to always be aware of your surrounding and protective of your belongings. I never went to a doctor, but I did have to visit a pharmacy and was easily able to explain my symptoms and get over-the-counter medication.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The best way to improve your language skills are to speak, speak, speak! Speak with your host family, speak in the grocery store, and speak in class. Even if you make mistakes, it's better to make them and learn to fix them. I spoke most often with my host family and in class, and sometimes, when I went out with friends, French people would hear us and want to help us practice! I used French every day, but there were many people who spoke English and wanted to practice that as well.

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• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family

• Cultural Activities
• Classes

• Course Descriptions
• Host Family Selection