IES Paris changed my life! Past Review
By Alissa Smith (Hope College) - abroad from 05/21/2018 to 07/05/2018 with
IES Abroad: Paris Summer – Marketing
I feel I have an advantage over other students in my home school’s business program because I was able to experience first hand how international marketing works. Also, both the professors and IES staff truly cared to get to know each of us individually. At the end of the program, I felt I had made lifelong connections with both my classmates and the staff. IES arranged great field trips to Versailles, the Champagne Region, and more! Overall, IES Paris is an amazing study abroad program that changed my view on both myself and the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors were very knowledgeable and had years of experience in their respective fields. They truly cared about us as individual students. |
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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? |
Great apartment in the heart of the 15th! Right above a fantastic bakery, which is always a plus! |
| * Food: |
The best food I have ever tasted, no matter where we ate in Paris. French food is a cut above. Pain au chocolat is my personal favorite! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The IES staff encouraged us to get involved in the community and see as much as the city as possible. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Explained very clearly prior to departure. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe, but always walked with friends at night as a precaution. I was in Paris during a lot of protests and IES was very proactive about letting us know where they were exactly. Also, be cautious of scammers offering very expensive taxis that are not official. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Studying abroad in Paris over the summer of 2018 with IES was hands-down the best experience of my life. Before Paris, I had never been out of the country. Studying abroad in France taught me how to problem solve by navigating my first foreign country on my own. I learned more than I ever would in a general classroom, and was encouraged by the staff and professors to go out and experience the city. Upon first arriving, I knew very little French. By the end of the summer term, I was confident in my French language skills and even held small conversations with locals. The professors IES has teach the classes are extremely knowledgeable and have many years of experience in their respective fields. Because of studying abroad, I found my sense of adventure and can't wait to travel the world! I would recommend studying with IES to anyone and everyone! |
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 extremely expensive, but the city is worth it. Spend your money wisely, and save up to travel on the weekends! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to cook at home as much as possible, and treat yourself on the weekends with museum tickets, visits to other countries, and shopping! Inquire with your home university about being a paid student blogger. I blogged while abroad and was paid for each post which definitely helped pay for extra spending on my trip! |
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 |
We interacted with locals and ordered food in French very often. A lot of the class was conducted in French. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None in French |
| 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? | Duolingo! The best app for learning languages. On the go, Google translate is always the best, but make sure to download the dictionary before you leave your home country because you may not have service! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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 wish I would have savored the time I was there more, because it was the best time of my life. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
