Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

IES Paris - A Very Satisfying Summer Experience Past Review

By (Philosophy, French, Brandeis University) for

IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Small classes, my professors were overall easy to understand and the work load was substantial but not overly difficult.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administrators were easily reachable and knowledgable. There were constantly small trips planned to do things like go vintage shopping or check out a particular arrondissement / church or other place of interest. The program size was intimate, but not too small - about 50 students in the advanced program. Expectations were exceeded, I really enjoyed the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Neighborhood was safe and hip, host family was very nice and friendly, my host mom switched my sheets every two weeks, etc. I didn't need to buy anything, the room came with a nice queen size bed and a desk / lamps, etc. I was treated as a friend.

* Food:

I do have specific dietary requirements (I don't eat pork, red meat, or seafood) and on the days we had trips planned the program was able to get the restaurant or wherever we were to accommodate me.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Field trips were really, really great. We went to Monet's gardens and house, overall it was a really great foray into the French country side. I was very pleased. Also, like I mentioned above, one could opt to go on these smaller field trips to sightsee.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I had no health or safety issues.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

I stayed with a host family and practiced my language with them. We were required to speak French in the program center, but outside I mainly spoke English with my friends (and I blame that for the reason I didn't improve as much as I should have). The program gave a lot of opportunities to speak French, such as a conversation club with French students, but students generally spoke English outside of these arranged meetings and courses.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This was really great for a summer program, the homework didn't take over my life and gave me enough time to sightsee and explore Paris with friends. Make sure you choose a program that's not going to overwhelm you with work!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Impressionsim
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The midterm and final were easier than I expected. The professor did expect one to have an advanced knowledge of french and spoke to students as if they were french, not american. The assigned reading was a lot, but the students were rarely called on so it was not necessary to read everything. It was mainly a lecture course.
Credit Transfer Issues: yes, I received credit
Course Name/Rating:

Advanced Grammar and Culture Seminar
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I really enjoyed this course very much. The instructor, Michel, encouraged us to give our opinions on interesting issues that ranged from television to politics. I learned quite a bit and would definitely recommend (especially with Michel as the instructor). The final was difficult, but the oral projects were only to speak for about 2 minutes and the hw was reasonable.
Credit Transfer Issues: yes.