Study Abroad in Paris: Mission Accomplished Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The educational system is very different from the American system. You go to class once a week for 1.5 - 2 hours, you don't have homework, and your grades come solely from exams. It's incredibly easy to become lazy, especially if the course is easy. The workload is next to nothing and the grading system is much more lenient. For example, a 10/20 would correspond to a 50% (F) in America, but it's a 70% (C) in France. Also, just so you all know, you need to take a minimum of 4 courses to be considered full-time. Another pointed difference is that the professors tend to tease the students. For them it's perfectly normal, whereas in America a prof could be fired for doing so. They don't mean any harm by it and aren't trying to vex you, but it will certainly seem like it to an American student.

On-site administration of your program

The MICEFA is fabulous for welcoming students and getting them a place to live. They have entire 3-ring binders full of the latest housing offers, including au pair positions, family apartments, and flats that students can rent. They're also good about helping you choose a university based on your French level, study goals, and proximity. However, that's about as far as it goes. If you need specific information about your university courses, they don't provide you with any of that information. They point you in the general direction by giving you a sheet of paper with names and contact information. I would've liked to receive more help in that regard, because it made me feel like they didn't know much about the universities they were affiliated with. The best people to ask for help are Barbara and Melissa.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The MICEFA arranges housing for you; all you have to do is stop by the office and browse the 3-ring binders. Joanna, the native French speaker at MICEFA, will make calls for you, but you can do them yourself if you want. I lived in the 13th district (Chinatown) so it was very safe at night. It was a very clean district and my trip to class was about 40 minutes if i didn't take the bus to the metro station. My host family was very nice, but I never felt like a part of the family. I lived with them for about 7 months and my landlady never allowed us to refer to each other in the informal ('tu' instead of 'vous'), so it felt very distant and client-esque.

There seemed to be food for everyone, meaning that one could easily find vegetarian foods, meats, etc. The food was great quality-wise; be warned that it is very fresh, so you'll find bugs and dirt in lettuce if you aren't careful. Their foods are not processed, so they're more packed with nutrients and they don't stick to you. Your appetite will adjust accordingly, and you'll find yourself eating tons of food because it practically goes right through. Meat is sold in much smaller portions than in the States, and is much more expensive. A chunk of beef about 4 inches in diameter, and about 3 inches thick, will sell for about 25 euros. It's best to stick with lunch meats, although those can get pretty pricey as well.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved the techno parade! It was so much fun. It took place around the 3rd week of September and it was so exciting to see huge masses of young people and techno music artists coming through on their tour buses. The MICEFA arranges certain trips, which you will hear about via email, and they cost 40 euros so you can reserve a spot on the bus. I went with them to Mont St. Michel and it was an excellent experience.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The city, for the most part, is as safe as you make it. Obviously, it will be more likely to be unsafe if you're stumbling around in the middle of the night drunk. Just be smart! You're in a big city, you likely don't know many people, and you share the public transportation with people who are possibly dangerous. I was accosted by a drunk man while coming home from a suburb. He gave me problems on the platform, then found me in the train and gave me problems there. I was minding my own business, I was completely sober, and I still got messed with. Things like that can't necessarily be controlled, but if you stick to yourself, it'll be that much easier. Also, if you find yourself in a situation like the one I was in, ask for help. That's what I did and the problem was quickly resolved. As for healthcare, you really can't benefit from the citizens' free healthcare because you must be a citizen in order to obtain the card that allows you to have free healthcare. However, if you get over-the-counter medications, they usually cost about 5 euros. Some cost around 10, but they're very affordable. They aren't on a mission to suck your bank account dry like they seem to be in America. France is a first-world country with run-of-the-mill flu and cold outbreaks, but nothing serious. The most trouble I had came from the high levels of pollution. They won't require you to get booster shots or any other vaccinations, but they will require a medical visit after you get there.

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

The MICEFA provides a grammar course that meets every day for the first few weeks of the program, to get everyone into the swing of being taught in French. The prof speaks only French to the students and it's a great way to adjust. I mainly practiced French with my host family and also with my French friends. You do need to use French every day but many people (vendors, information clerks, supermarket cashiers, etc.) do speak English.

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• Dorm
• Apartment
• Host Family

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• Host Family