Wonderful Semester Abroad in Paris! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My Study Abroad experience was nothing short of life altering. I participated in a French Studies Program in Paris, France. The program has a 100% French curriculum meaning all of my classes, assignments, and exams were in French. There were 44 of us total which meant the class sizes were pretty small, about 8-12 students in each of my classes. The coursework was challenging yet doable, and I admit harder than I expected prior to going. Yet I have no complaints because the curriculum greatly improved my French and I made several lifelong friends in this program. To give you an idea of the classes I took History of Photography, Paris Cinema, History of the Maghreb World, and a grammar class that emphasized discussion of current events and issues in France. The program also offered many excursion events which allowed us to have an even greater appreciation of the city and all it has to offer! For housing accommodations I lived with a host family in a suburb just outside of Paris. This meant I had an hour commute to school every day which had its drawbacks, but on the plus side I got along great with my host family and I enjoyed the area I lived in. I’m still in touch with my host family and I’m very thankful for how kind and generous my host mom was! The initial culture shock is not easy but my host mom and her son made me feel so welcome. While abroad I also had an internship as an English instructor at French middle school. My job was to teach age appropriate lessons related to American culture to groups of students ages 12-14. My internship was one of the best parts of my experience abroad and I highly recommend doing an internship while abroad! Lastly, during my time abroad I had the chance to travel to Portugal, Ireland, and Belgium. Traveling is definitely one of the best aspects of going abroad but there was plenty to see and do while in Paris such as going to museums, cultural events, open mic and poetry events with friends, etc. But the best part of going abroad was simply getting to experience and explore a different city with a completely different culture and language than I’m used to and getting to know the locals that live there. It makes you grow in ways you never thought of and challenges you every day and I’m very thankful I went.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a great family in the suburbs outside of Paris. Only downside was that it took me close to an hour to get to class every day, which took extra time and effort to not only get to class but to go out and experience Paris. Sometimes I was just too tired from the cold, class work, and commuting and would just go home instead of venturing out in the city.

My host family happened to not cook so for the three nights a week we ate dinner together it was always frozen food heated up. Frozen food in France is better than in the States but I wish I got to experience more homemade french cuisine.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

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

Budgeting is definitely one of the hardest aspects. The euro exchange rate can easily drain your bank account fast but one of the biggest learning lessons about studying abroad is learning how to be more resourceful and creative in finding ways to have fun.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

It was a 100% French Curriculum.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• The faculty and students
• The excursions
• The location

• Program cost
• Timing of final exams

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