Paris with IES: Amazing Past Review
By Kathleen1 (The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies
It was the most amazing adventure. I wish I could go back. It helped me learn French, give me confidence, and expose me to other cultures and real world experiences.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Just being in a foreign country that speaks another language is extremely education. Interacting with locals helped me learn a lot of french. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The people working in Paris were great. I wish there would have been more group outings. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing. The were a family of 5 and owned the top two floors of a complex. They fed me 3 days a week (but told me I could eat with them whenever I pleased) and they had breakfast everyday. I had my own bedroom and they let me use whatever I needed to cook. They set aside as much space as possible for me to put my food. They were wonderful, and invited me to many of their activities. |
| * Food: |
Do not go to student cafeterias. You can get a cheaper lunch in a bakery. You can get a large sandwich or salad for under 4 euros. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish there had been activities to meet local students. We had to create our own outings. There were two main field trips. They had contests to win ballet tickets, I won it twice. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Paris is a big city, so of course there is a lot more crime. Blonds were targeted. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Speak to the locals and resist speaking English with your friends. No one will think you are weird if you try to speak in the local language! |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student who wishes to live with a family and really learn french. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
19th and 20th Century French Literature |
| Course Department: | Lt340 |
| Instructor: | Eric Loret |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | We had relevant field trips. The teacher was fantastic. Very knowledgeable in this area of study. I participated more than I do in my home institution. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Not yet |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary France |
| Course Department: | SO321 |
| Instructor: | Sophie Fesdjian |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Great course. It helped me understand the French social and political structure more. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes, this transferred as a 340 course. |
