Becoming a Parisian Past Review
By Tanya A (Psychology and French, University of Virginia) - abroad from 01/12/2015 to 04/30/2015 with
IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies
My cultural understanding of both France and my home country increased tremendously. It was interesting to observe all of the things happening in the U.S. from the eyes of a different culture, and I feel like I learned more about the U.S. by being away from it. I also retained an incredible relationship with my host family, and walked away from this experience with a second home open to me in Paris. This experience really transformed me into a Parisian, and I wouldn't change that for anything.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If there was one thing to criticize about the program, it would be the lack of day to day integration of students. Most classes, if not all, were in the IES center only with other American students in the program. My home stay was really my only method of integration with local culture |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Paris is an expensive city, but living in a homestay definitely helps, they provide you with at least 3 dinners a week and all 7 breakfasts! |
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? | 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? | Four-thousand level |
| 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? | It will be tempting to speak English when you're in your classes or hanging out with a bunch of other American students, but it will really benefit you immensely to speak as much French as possible! Again, living in a home stay will also really help with your ease in speaking 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? |
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? | Stress less! This whole experience might seem very overwhelming, and the first couple of days might be, but don't hesitate to study abroad. I'm a changed person because of this 4 month experience and don't let fear or anxiety keep you from discovering a new part of yourself! |
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.' |
