Life-changing, fun, stressful, educational, I wish I could do this every year Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/26/2015 to 07/01/2016 with
MICEFA: Paris - Study Abroad at New Sorbonne University Paris 3
I gained and learned so much, it's difficult to grasp how much exactly studying abroad changed me. It's turned me into a more independent, more cultured person. Before, I felt I had shyness issues, but studying abroad made me overcome my social problems and learn to become an active citizen in a globe filled with interesting people, places, and things.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The university system in France works very differently from my experience in the United States. Most of my professors do not give syllabi, course materials, nor assignments back. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I would like to point out that I got lucky with my living arrangements, but finding housing in Paris is very stressful! |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
MICEFA provided plenty of medical recommendations, such as which hospital to go to, which doctors speak English, etc. The healthcare in France is much cheaper than in the USA, which I will miss dearly. |
| * Safety: |
Considering that the Paris Terrorist Attacks did happen while abroad, safety did become a large concern, but as I come to realize, sometimes these things are out of our hands. We can prevent being in such situations by being prudent of current events and avoiding high-risk areas. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
MICEFA was so helpful in our transition into French culture! They provide concise, clear information and all the necessary tools to get you accommodated. They hold your hand through the more stressful parts of getting your life started abroad, but do it in such a way where you learn to become very independent in setting your life up. |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Roughly about $150 per week? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eating out can be quite expensive as it racks up over time, save money wherever you can by taking advantage of all the student discounts offered in Europ |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | FR320E |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make French friends! They will help a lot. Go watch French movies and televisioin. Really try to get immersed in the local culture. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think MICEFA does such a good job at preparing you to live in Paris, that I would say nothing. Going in as I did, I wish I knew a little more French perhaps, but really if I were to do this again, I wouldn't mind going in the same as the first time. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
