France: Life changing experience! Past Review
By Kirsten W (Accounting, University of Texas - Arlington) for
ISA Study Abroad in Paris, France
My study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. I have fallen in love with the French culture and they have so much passion for love and life. They enjoy spending time with family and relaxing under the sun in the parks. As Americans, we live fast paced lives and it seemed that in Paris, their lives are fast during work hours but slow in the evenings and on the weekends. I hope to go back to Europe in the near future and work abroad and be able to interact with Parisiens more on a business level.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had a professor from the University of Hawaii and she was the best teacher I had at the American Business School. Students are expected to interact and participate in class and the teachers are very easy-going. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
ISA was very helpful and the excursions were wonderful. Although I was placed with a roommate who was difficult to live with, the experience of living in Paris was amazing and I absolutely loved my host family. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing arrangement was almost perfect. Besides the roommate, I could not have asked for anything better. My host family was extremely nice and generous. I learned a lot of French speaking with them. I was also invited to the son's rugby game when I was living with them and they also invited me back to visit. They treated me as if I was apart of the family. I lived very close to my school and I did not even have to take the metro. The neighborhood was safe and I lived right next to the Canal Saint-Martin so I had a beautiful view from my room. |
| * Food: |
Excellent food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My favorite excursion was going to the Loire Valley in France. We visited castles and we drank lots of wine. The Valley was absolutely beautiful and I would love to go back and visit one day. We also visited Omaha Beach in Normandy as well as Mont Saint-Michel, which were amazing to experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was sick twice and being able to get medicine was not difficult at all. I did not have to go to the doctor's, but if I had to it would not have been difficult because most doctor's spoke english and there would be no confusion as to what symptoms I had. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived with a host family; therefore, I was able to practice speaking French more than just in the classroom at ABS. A lot of people in Paris do speak English, but as foreigners we should speak their native language so I tried to speak as much French as possible. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | When living abroad for a semester, have absolutely no expectations and keep an open mind. You will be entering into a foreign country so be ready to meet people who will not necessarily like Americans. Speak the language of the country that you are living in and be respectful to the citizens of that country. |
