Past Review

By Laurel W (Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods., Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) for

ISA Study Abroad in Paris, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned so much from my study abroad experience. I learned about France - the culture, language, people, customs, daily life, history. I learned about myself - my strengths, weaknesses. I became more confident in my French speaking abilities and in my independence and my ability to adapt. I also learned from the French's view of America. I found there were some things I still loved about America, some things I appreciated more, and some things I wish we would do differently. My experience open my eyes to the world and to travel. I hope I will be able to see many more cultures in my lifetime.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	Catholic University of Paris
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I took a summer French class, so the workload was mild. My teacher had taught before in an American university, so she was extremely relatable and understood what we were accustomed to. The teaching style was not much different from the French classes I had taken in the US. The class was taught solely in French and the listening and vocabulary was at a much higher level than in the US. The grammar levels corresponded well to the levels in the US. Thus, my class was challenging in the areas of listening, speaking, and vocabulary, but very easy in the area of grammar. I didn't learn very much in the area of grammar, but everything else improved greatly.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	They offered many beneficial services for us in Paris, including airport transportation, excursions, and a 24 hour phone number for emergencies. They were always available and were very helpful when I had questions.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I had an American roommate and we both lived with our host family. It was the perfect scenario, as we were able to travel to and from school together and come home late together. Our apartment was right in the heart of Paris and was a great location for interacting with locals, sightseeing, and enjoying everyday Paris life. I was 25 minutes from class by the metro and our area felt very safe.
* Food:	Food was amazing. Expect a lot of cheese, bread, and pastries. The French prepare their meet very, very differently, but you can find some good stuff. Salads are always made with great lettuce. You can find some good sandwiches and salads for under 10 euros for lunch, but except to pay more for dinner for good food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The excursions were all very fun and well planned. We also went on a boat tour on the Seine, which was great, and saw a one-man comedy show, which was hilarious.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	I lived with a host family who didn't speak any English. I improved by leaps and bounds because I probably spoke French 44 hours each week, between class, time with my host family, and everyday interactions. I also knew a fair amount of French before I went to Paris, so I used French in my everyday interactions with locals. However, many Parisians know enough English to help you if you don't know French.