MICEFA Paris University Exchange Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This was also explained in the question concerning the "most challenging aspects of your abroad university." The second semester was a wonderful experience. I was lucky enough to enroll in classes that were taught by very interesting and engaging professors and in which I met many kind and welcoming students. The workload is very different compared to that in the U.S., the greatest difference most being that there really isn't much of a workload. Of course, this depends on the courses that one takes, but the only real work is reading, which one should always keep up with... but one should know that from the States already! Grading can be a bit disappointing at first, since it is much lower than one would get in the American system. But once you realize that you cannot make direct comparisons, it makes much more sense. Everything takes some adjustment. The professors, as you typically hear, have a very different attitude than those in the U.S. Some of my professors at Paris III were exceptions, but for the most part, the divide between teachers and students is very explicit; teachers are there to teach, and once that is over, it's time for them to leave. They are somewhat good about email correspondence, but a very clear about what they will and will not answer. Be sure to respect those boundaries.

On-site administration of your program

The only issue I ever experienced was when I kept hearing from other UT students that they had received updates from the Study Abroad office that I never received. Apparently, I did not receive several messages that other students said to have gotten, including one that may have introduced a different advisor, which greatly worried me. There was a bit of a delay with getting responses, which may have to do with whether or not I was emailing the correct advisor. Otherwise, UT did a great job with placing me in the right program and responding to my needs as a student.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Fortunately, my best friend is from Paris, which gave me an advantage in securing housing since her parents did so for me! I lived in the 16th arrondissement, which is, without a doubt, the safest place one can live in Paris since it is a very family-oriented and residential area of Paris. That being said, it is a very quiet part of Paris as well as pricey, but I loved it. Though I was mainly in the 4th and 5th arrondissements due to work and school, it was a comfort to know that I could return home late and feel perfectly safe in my neighborhood. I worked at Shakespeare & Company until 11pm most nights, so my experience wasn't heavy with "nightlife," but the 16th is definitely not the place to be in that sense since, again, it is mostly inhabited by families and older people. In regards to the metro, it was a straight shot on Line 10 from my apartment to both university and Shakespeare & Company, so I couldn't ask for anything better!

I am a vegetarian and, contrary to what most people say, one can easily be a vegetarian in France. I made a lot of dishes for myself, but there is always a vegetarian option at restaurants, and in the rare case that there isn't, there are plenty of sandwich shops to choose from. There are regular markets in most neighborhoods with french fruits, vegetables, and cheeses, which make perfect ingredients for home-made meals (and are just fun in general!)!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

MICEFA organized trips to Mont Saint-Michel and Reims, both of which were great excursions in which I had the chance to participate. There was a trip to Giverny in the spring that I couldn't attend due to my work schedule.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Safety requires the basics: smart decisions. Pick-pocketing is an issue in Paris as well as harassment (towards girls). Fortunately, I was never pick pocketed. While there are times when this is truly unpreventable, a general sense of caution is always necessary. Always pay attention to what is happening around you, and do not put yourself in the position to where this sense will be fully impaired. Drinking is tempting, especially for those who are under 21 upon arriving, and it is easy to take that liberty too far, especially as Americans. Many people I knew were pick pockets and harassed at some point, but usually, they were either drunk or not being careful enough. This is not to say that you should not enjoy yourself, but always remember that as a non-local, you are at risk of being taken advantage. This applies to clothing too, for ladies, that is. I know that this is said a lot in study abroad reviews and is noted by advisors, but it is true. While of course you want to look cute, there needs to be a limit: do not try to bring an extreme amount of attention to yourself. Oftentimes, this results in much unwanted attention. Just be careful, and remember that your safety needs to be a top priority while abroad.

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

I practiced both in class and outside of class with the other students, almost all of who were local. I regularly went out with students to the movies, for dinner or coffee, etc, so I had may opportunities to speak French as much as possible. Working at Shakespeare & Company also allowed me to speak French with customers. Knowing French was essential not only at school but also at work where it was required for me to speak French in order to perform certain tasks (i.e., working at the register, helping customers, organizing events, etc.).

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• Apartment

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• N/A

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• Local Students