Challenging Past Review
By Joanna f (Pace University) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 05/16/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Paris, France
It was the first time I had nothing going on, I wish I would've volunteered somewhere to feel productive. I learned the importance of really emerging in the culture with the people and the language.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
TERRIBLE SCHOOL AND PROFESSORS, nooooo resources for students at all. No student faculty relationship, and absolutely no help from the actual school system. ISA was the only support system. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
terrible |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
the host mom was a little crazy but an overall good experience. She was crazy in the sense that I couldn't even wash my hands if I came home after 12 am because it would make "too much noise". She didn't allow me to use more than one plug for all of my electronics, and she didn't let me straighten my hair at all. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
good! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Had no issues |
| * Safety: |
Paris is just a creepy city at night, too many dark alleys. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I was totally broke the whole time and it didn't help that ISA didn't give me any of the scholarships. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20 euros (absolutely no shopping) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you're tight on money don't even think about shopping abroad, paying weight in excess for the flight home will not be a good thing. |
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 |
They set up language exchanges with french students, really helpful and a good way to meet students our age. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced French |
| 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? | Go to couch surfing to find posts on language exchanges, and ask around school if you can exchange tutoring sessions. |
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? |
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? | how expensive life in Paris really was. |
