Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Language and Life in a Big City Past Review

By (Anthropology., Illinois Wesleyan University) - abroad from 01/20/2014 to 05/03/2014 with

IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got a lot better at French and gained self confidence through solo travel

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were so-so. Not super challenging but that's not always a bad thing when they are in another language.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I found the staff kind and welcoming. They did their best to help us succeed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

IES really couldn't have made a better match! My host family was fabulous and definitely made the experience.

* Food:

My lovely host family shared more than the required three meals a week with me so I got to experience true French cooking. Yum!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Parisians sort of keep to themselves so I didn't have any French friends outside of my host family.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never got sick but I knew people who did and they were able to go through the healthcare system with little effort, often aided by IES staff who were along for moral support.

* Safety:

It's a big city. Same safety considerations as with New York or Chicago.

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 and your host family might only feed you 3x per week as required by the program. Buying groceries and making sandwiches is cheaper than the boulangerie!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Decide which day of the week you are allowed to buy a pastry- they may only be 2/3 euro but it adds up!

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

They said that we weren't allowed to speak English in the center but lots of people did. Depends on how hard you push yourself to speak French.

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? 370
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? Speak French even with American friends! See movies and get to know your host family.

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Host family
  • Excursions with program
  • Moderate classes
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigor
  • Some professors were unorganized
  • Wifi in the center hardly worked
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Get your boots re-soled before leaving the US. You will be doing a lot of walking!

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!