A complete whirlwind and a learning experience that I will always remember Past Review
By Taylor E (English/French, Fordham University) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/04/2013 with
IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies
Language skills, new friends, and I also learned a lot about myself. Definitely not the easiest semester for me personally but worthwhile.
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. |
IES requires that you take 5 classes, but you always have Fridays off. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES staff is great -- very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My particular homestay was excellent. Great food, very friendly, and a clean large apartment. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My French definitely improved. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have personal experience with the healthcare, but I know that I had it. |
| * Safety: |
Once you've lived in the Bronx, Paris is nothing new. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It's easy to eat cheaply in Paris by preparing your own meals...a baguette costs only 1 Euro, so to make a sandwich from that is simple and cheap. |
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 |
All my classes were in French. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2100 |
| 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? | Try speaking it outside of class with your friends and at your homestay. |
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? | Not everyone has to go abroad, and it won't be the same experience for everyone. I definitely struggled when I got there and questioned whether I should have gone at all, but in the end it was worth it. |
