Paris est une fête. Past Review
By Katie H (International Relations and Affairs., Austin College) for
IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies
I have decided against teaching foreign language, due to my internship experience, and now am more focused on my goal of working with an NGO. I am grateful for this because I can now narrow my options and will not be committed to a year or more of a job that does not suit me.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Institut Catholique |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I am really glad I chose IES. I love the staff and the people I met and would not trade the experience for anything. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was AMAZING. They helped me overcome some unforeseen challenges and I feel like some of them are family. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My neighborhood was far from most things, a suburb of Paris, but it was calm and quiet and I always felt safe returning home late. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was an amazing cook. I didn't dine out in restaurants that often because it gets expensive quickly. |
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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: |
There are areas to avoid but if you are smart about where you are going and when you should not have many problems. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 50 euros a week conservatively on food. Thats a 4 euro sandwich at lunch plus some simple weekend groceries. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be conscientious of what you are spending and how |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 201 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyday interactions and French friends I met through conversation exchange. |
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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* Who did you take classes 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? | You need to be very motivated to find time to study in Paris when there are plenty of distractions each weekend. Festivals, bars (that you weren't old enough to drink at in the states), and outings with friends will all be vying for your attention but that paper has to be written sooner than later. DO NOT PUT IT OFF. Get things done early, then play later. I was so stressed before departure first semester that I had hardly any sleep for the last week and missed some valuable goodbyes. |
