Internalizing International Study Past Review
By Charlotte N (ART/PSY, University of Alaska - Anchorage) for
ISA Study Abroad in Paris, France
The summer program was not long enough. If I were to do this again I would go for the semester abroad or year abroad program. But definitely go for it-- the experience is well worth the price.
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. |
The workload didn't seem to be much compared to the experience. The instructors I had were both American, which made it easy to understand. The experience was priceless. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Expectations were met and beyond met, although I wish I had known a little more French before I journeyed there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a French, retired English instructor who was very passionate about her country and home. The accomodations she supplied were wonderful: seemingly safe neighborhood; balcony with a view; fresh bed sheets weekly and cozy comforter; laundry facilities with restrictions; a clean bathroom and toilet room; daily fresh fruit; daily meals with wine at every meal; a tour of the city at night; an introduction to her friends to make sure I was safe-- Absolutely wonderful accommodation, yet treated with disdain. Only twice did I feel threatened; once when I brought sushi home--I found out she did not allow fish in her house, although I had brought her smoked salmon from Alaska as a gift when I arrived, and she did not tell me it was not allowed in her apartment. The second time occurred after a bottle of wine and a few drinks, she verbally expressed her loathing of Americans, and the fact that I was over 40 and on a study-abroad program |
| * Food: |
A gluten free diet was provided. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed the adventure of learning and acquiring degree credits while visiting France. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was not an issue, although I would recommend you bring toilet paper and wet-wipes on your excursions. |
| 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
| 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? | Do it! This will be an experience you will always remember, and one that will benefit your overall understanding and perspective of the world. Foreign study at home does not compare to the experience abroad. And, being able to visit a foreign country through a university study program is all the better because it enables one to learn about that country first hand while attaining credit toward a degree program. Furthermore, study-abroad makes one appreciate home. There is little compared to getting back on American soil after visiting a foreign country. I love the adventure and meeting people because one adventure leads to another--example: on a semester long study-abroad program in Australia, I met a woman from Punjab, India, who became a very good friend and invited me to her wedding in Patiala the following fall. All I can say is "WOW!" An Indian wedding is something everyone should experience. The color, the ceremony, the entertainment, the commitment, the family, the love, the emotion-- incredible! There are really no words to explain an Indian wedding. |
