Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Parisian Living Past Review

By (Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 05/25/2016 to 07/09/2016 with

IES Abroad: Paris Summer - Intermediate Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained much more comfort in my French abilities and it was definitely worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My homestay family was so incredibly nice and only spoke to me in French, which was exactly what I wanted.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt safe in Paris, because there were so many people out all the time. Catcalling is more acceptable in Parisian culture and this can be frightening and awkward, but I was always around people in case something went wrong.

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

I loved this program and I would have liked to spend a semester there instead of only a summer.

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)

I think you have to consciously spend money in the same way as in the US. You can find giant sandwiches for 3 euro lunches or you can buy a giant plate of couscous for 13 euro. There are opportunities to splurge and save on a budget in Paris.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 40 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be conscious of pocket change. It can go a long way.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The program was very encouraging about speaking only in French.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level French classes
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? I would encourage students to use the language all the time. I understand that students cannot fully express themselves in their second language just yet, but trying to use the language constantly is so beneficial to developing proficiency.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • field trips
  • professors
  • host families
* What could be improved?
  • billing system
  • orientation with public transit
  • pre-departure advising
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's okay to always speak French even if the other American students are not.

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 Linguist
You 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:

Contemporary France

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This class was not super challenging, but very informative and very fair. The professor was very knowledgable and able to give me professional advice about my future in Anthropology. I was nervous to participate in class at first, but I quickly became more confident in my French abilities. We were assigned short papers and we had an in-class essay final. These paper topics could be challenging if the student wanted to go into more depth and research. They could also be more opinion based.
Credit Transfer Issues: