A language and culture rich program with lots of support and excursions. Past Review

By A student (English Literature (British and Commonwealth)., Northwestern University) - abroad from 09/09/2013 to 12/19/2013 with

IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a lot about myself. Leaving the American academic grind allowed me to decide my own schedule and goals without so much external pressure. I also improved my language skills greatly, which was fulfilling and great for a resumé. Studying abroad was completely worthwhile and I highly recommend it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The resources provided by the IES Paris center were spectacular. They offered tutoring with IES teachers, advising, and great classes. The classes were very interesting, but not all that academically challenging.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I did a home-stay, which I would highly recommend. While it can be a little isolating at first, I was able to speak french with my host family at dinner and around the house. I would attribute most of my improvement in language skills to these interactions. My host family was also really nice. IES does a great job pairing people up with families that have similar interests and habits.
* Food:	The food right around the IES center is really great. Paris in general also has superb food. My host mother made dinner three times a week (as required by IES) and it was DELICIOUS.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	While I did meet a few French people, it is really difficult to make friends. I would recommend joining a club of some kind (for sports or music), otherwise it is basically impossible.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Very few people needed medical attention, but IES has contacts for doctors and clinics, and there is always an IES staff person on phone duty who can help you out. They also offered mental health counseling to anyone who felt they needed it.
* Safety:	IES presents safety in Paris for an entire day of orientation. I felt totally prepared. There were a few incidents of people getting pick pocketed, but they had definitely been warned about it by IES. There is also always an IES staff person to call if you feel in danger in any way.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* 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 expensive.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Paninis and crepes are a cheaper lunch option (instead of a sit down restaurant). Definitely ask the program advisors and they can help you find less expensive neighborhoods and restaurants. You can also buy inexpensive, high-quality frozen food to heat at home.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	While we signed a language pledge and always spoke to professors and staff in French, students definitely spoke in English with each other.
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	French literature
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?	Stay with a host family, join a club, take classes at a French University.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans
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?	IES staff/teachers freedom to wander Paris and live independently opportunity to study at the Sorbonne
* What could be improved?	students held to speaking only French academic rigor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish someone had told me to make myself leave the house even if I was feeling down that day or tired. You only have a limited time abroad and you should use it to the fullest.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Théatre
Course Department:
Instructor:	Anne-Catherine Abecassis
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	This course provided us with tickets to five french plays all over Paris. The plays were really fun, though a slight time commitment outside of class. The class was basically a literature class, in which we read the plays and discussed them.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Cinéma
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	This class showed a lot of great films and was a really interesting view into the history of cinema as it pertains to both France and America. The midterm and final were in class essays, but we had plenty of time and they weren't graded too harshly.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Translation: thème et version
Course Department:	Language
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	This course was challenging, but really interesting. It was a great way to work on grammar skills without doing the same exercises over and over again. I learned a lot of vocabulary as well as how to translate my English thoughts into French.
Credit Transfer Issues: