Living and Learning in Paris Past Review
By Jennifer (Miami University) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 04/29/2016 with
IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies
By the end, I felt so comfortable speaking French and now I really feel like I can say I am fluent in French. Choosing a program with classes all in French was a great decision and a great way to improve my language abilities. Living abroad in a big city also pushed me out of my comfort zone, as well as having an internship where I had to speak in my second language all the time. There are definitely challenges when living in a foreign country, but overall it was such a valuable experience and I would absolutely recommend it.
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. |
The professors were really great and very helpful! I think they found a good balance as far as challenging us, but also realizing that French is not our first language. |
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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? |
I didn't feel like I was very well matched with my host family. I was living with an older woman and although she was nice, I never felt like part of a "family." |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the 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
Overall, I had a great experience. The classes, professors, and friends I made were really great. I also had an internship, which was such valuable work experience as well. The people at the company were so nice and welcoming as well. |
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 overall, but if you buy your own food at the store and don't eat out all the time, it's not too bad. |
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? | 300-levels |
| 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 to speak French as much as you can to everyone you can even if it's scary at first! |
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? | I think it's important to realize that living in a foreign country is a lot different from just visiting for a week or two. Actually living somewhere, as opposed to being on vacation there, is more challenging because you experience the ups and downs of "real life." Everything you have to do isn't going to be fun, but it's still mostly fun and a valuable experience. |
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 LinguistYou 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: |
Paris Museums |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Anne-Catherine Abecassis |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | We learned about art history in class and then went to the museums to see the artwork in person and learn more about the art. Great way to see a lot of museums around the city that I probably wouldn't have gone to on my own. The professor was great! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
