Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Month of my Life Past Review

By (Biology, General., University of Texas - San Antonio) - abroad from 05/26/2012 to 06/30/2012 with

ISA Study Abroad in Paris, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
You can learn so much about yourself on these types of trips. Enjoy being by yourself- enjoy being lonely. Write in a journal... you will appreciate rereading your daily goings-on once you are back home. This trip was more than worthwhile- it was amazing.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were not hard at all. I learned a lot about art history, but the courses did not seem to be designed to challenge the students.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The ISA Paris staff were helpful, but they were also slightly scattered. I think that they need more people to deal with all of the students that they have. They were very nice, though.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

For Paris standards, I had a very nice dorm. It was well secured and nicely provisioned.

* Food:

I was not given any sort of food, but all of the food I consumed in Paris was delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because I speak five years worth of French, I was able to get around just fine; however, it is very hard to look "un-American" due to the type of clothing and culture instilled within me since a very young age.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was healthy for the duration of the entire trip.

* Safety:

Paris is not a very safe city, but you just have to look like you know where you're going and what you're doing and no one will bother you. Ignore the homeless... half of them are crazy and/or dangerous.

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)

The food is extremely pricey, I easily spent over $400.00 per week.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $400.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Set a budget for yourself (in euro) before you go. Have an emergency credit card. Carry multiple forms of identification and credit cards just in case something gets lost or stolen.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Paris is a beautiful city so full of culture and creativity. You don't even have to be an art major to appreciate that.
  • I truly lived like a Parisian... I took the metro everyday
  • The excursions were amazing. Well worth the money.
* What could be improved?
  • ISA Paris needs more staff to handle all the students in an efficient way.
  • More in depth preparation needed to be provided for by ISA Paris as far as what to expect for living accommodations in Paris.
  • The ISA Paris staff should send out weekly email updates for students in their programs to let us know about any international emergencies.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be prepared to spend a lot of money. There is a lack of air conditioning in Paris... everywhere.