Paris: The Best Five Weeks of My Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The grading system in France is different from that in the United States, so it took some adjusting to get used to the idea that 10/20, for example, is a passing grade rather than failing. My workload experiences varied: my French course required a lot of time outside of class to be set aside for homework and studying, however my photography course had very little work to be done outside of class. Another interesting difference between the French and American educational systems is the rigidity of the courses. Whereas in the United States we expect a detailed syllabus from the professor at the beginning of the term outlining exactly what the class will cover, in France there was no obvious guide as to what material will be discussed in class; the professor had more of a free reign to teach what he or she desired, and only at the end of the course gave an outline of the content we had covered all term.

On-site administration of your program

The ISA on-site staff and administration more than met my expectations; the continual friendliness, helpfulness, resources, support, and availability they offered was more than I could have asked for. Centrally located, the office was easily accessible and welcomed anything and everything the students brought to the table, from issues with homestays and assistance in planning independent travel, to locations of the best restaurants and help in transferring credits. I was very impressed by how quickly the staff learned all the students' names, and the weekend excursions provided by the program were always fun and interesting.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had an absolutely wonderful homestay experience. I lived with another American girl, and our host family consisted of two parents and a teenage son (and a cat). They were incredibly welcoming from the very beginning, and during the course of the program I was really happy with the close relationship we were forming. My host family provided things like sheets and towels, and took care of my laundry for me. They also provided breakfast foods that I was welcome to every morning, and they cooked dinner seven nights of the week. I lived in a very safe neighborhood - just down the street from two elementary schools, so I lived in an area with a lot of families and young children - and very close to the Eiffel Tower. It was such a great bonus to be within a five-minute walk of one of France's greatest landmarks! While my host family did know some English, staying with locals was an excellent way to practice my French without ever feeling judged or embarrassed - they wanted to help me with my French just as much as they wanted me to help them with their English!

My host family kept a stock of a variety of breakfast foods for my roommate and I to eat every day, foods like cereals, bread and an assortment of jams, yogurt, and fresh fruit. For lunch I was on my own, which allowed my friends and I to discover a great many cafes and restaurants around Paris. Sometimes we would eat lunch at out host university's dining hall, but more often we would try a new cafe or creperie (I definitely recommend banana and nutella crepes!). My host family cooked dinner every night, and the number of different meals they prepared was astounding! Rarely did we ever eat the same meal twice! When I had first arrived to my homestay, my host family asked about my likes and dislikes regarding food, and they kept my preferences in mind during my entire stay. I definitely enjoyed trying all sorts of new food; I had the chance to try escargot, and I surprised myself by actually enjoying it!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

In addition to the three weekend excursions organized for the students by the ISA on-site staff (to Normandy, Versailles, and the Loire Valley), my program also arranged a few local cultural events that were a lot of fun. For example, during our first week in Paris, the students were treated to a boat tour along the Seine River, giving us our first looks at the city around us. We saw a comedy act at a theater that poked fun at both American and French cultures - and was highly entertaining - and we took a walk through the catacombs that lie beneath the city. Fete de la Musique also took place during my stay - a holiday of sorts dedicated entirely to music. Musicians of all ages, experience, and styles played all over the city all day, and it was so interesting to walk around and experience such a day of entertainment.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

By staying in such a tourist-filled city (Paris), it was easy to find a lot of places where English was spoken, from restaurants and cafes to stores and museums. So while I did try to use French as much as I could, I never had to fully rely on my minimal French knowledge. However, I did need to use French with my host family, though they did know enough English that the language barrier was never too much of a problem: typically, my host family would practice speaking English to me and I would practice speaking French to them. I think being surrounded by French-speakers for an extended period of time and learning to read and understand street signs, maps, menus, etc. in French definitely helped improve my understanding of the language.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family