Amazing learning experience Past Review
By Heidi T (Truman State University) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
IPAG Business School: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned about interacting with people from other cultures and I learned what it's going to be like in the real world after graduation. Definitely worth it.
Personal Information
| 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. |
This program was very educational in terms of culture. I interacted with a lot of teachers and students from different cultures, and that's what a lot of our class discussion was focused on. However, compared to the intensity and span of information covered in Truman courses, this was very light. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was an urban campus, meaning the buildings were a little further apart. However, the actual facilities and the administration staff was very good. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived off campus. |
| * Food: |
Off campus. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
there's a group on campus called Global IPAG that hosted events for international kids as well as full campus opportunities. Things like movie nights, dinners out, and drinks between classes, happened weekly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had an issue regarding this. |
| * Safety: |
Paris is a busy city, and is therefore home to pick-pockets and the like. Everyday street smarts can keep you safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I didn't study abroad so I could study 10 hours a day. I studied abroad so I could learn in a classroom but also have time to travel, visit museums, and make friends. This program did that for me. |
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 expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150-250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | research all of the student deals at restaurants, clubs, and museums. |
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 |
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| 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? | 102 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | The administration only speaks French, but the teachers speak English. |
