L'Institut d'Etudes Françaises pour Etudiants Etrangers Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

On-site administration of your program

I never had any problem with the way things where set up. Everyone was very helpful and always available if I needed anything.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a building that was much older. I did not mind that i had to share a bathroom or kitchen but I did mind that there was not hot water at times or that it was dirty certain days. The health or comfort aspect is not always there for people as it is here in the States. Yes I had a room with a bed a nice view and it was warm. Yet it was very small and older. Here there is much better customer service type of mentality. In France there is more gray area and if you would complain about something that was wrong to the front secretary about your room or something, she would say, " Well there is nothing I can do right now, you have to wait for the guy" So even if you are paying for something it does not matter. You either take it or leave it.

Food was amazing. I think food anywhere else is better because not everything is processed or packaged. I loved that there where always food markets and fresh bread with cheese. The student cafeteria also had good healthy food with many options for veggies, fruit, cheese, bread, meats, pizza, salads, pasta, and dessert.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I lived in student housing that had many international students. I feel I learned a bit more about other cultures as well just by socializing and making friends with everyone. It was very funny to see how the Italians stuck together or the Germans stuck together. Naturally that will happen anywhere because we as humans tend to stick to what we know and makes us comfortable. Yet I mingled with everyone. I wanted to because that is how you learn about other people. Everyone brought different things to the table. What I did enjoy the most was that even if the people stuck together to their cultural groups, everyone knew each other and often we would all get together and have dinner or go on weekend trips as a big group. It was nice that everyone was so open and worked together well. They are all also very sincere and do what they say and are not afraid to express their opinions and follow through. For me actions are more important than words. There was never any issues in differences. I really really liked the unity. That is something that I do not find here in the States.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt that everything was well organized and I never had any questions as to anything pertaining to my school or housing set up. I was taken care of well so I did not feel I needed my administrator much to fall back on. I figured out a lot of things on my own. She helped me with getting a bank account and she explained to me a little bit about the culture and market days and what not. Perhaps she should have helped me to get a phone since that is needed to also get internet. That way for those traveling far can communicate with family and to let them know that everything is ok. I had to do that on my own but luckily I made friends the first night so they helped me out with everything since I was not familiar with the process. I had to wait a couple of days to get internet to communicate with my family so I did not like that to much. Yes there are public phones outside, but you needed a special card and since I had no clue where to get it and did not speak french I also could not call from there.

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

I believe that my skills improved tremendously since I did not speak one word when I first arrived. I know that my only practice now requires more about getting the accent down perfectly and building my vocabulary. I really understand the rules and it comes naturally for me to apply them. I am very happy to be able to speak, understand, read and write french.