Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Except for one class, I really enjoyed going to school. I met one very sweet french student who helped me a lot. The teachers, for the most part, were willing to help you.

On-site administration of your program

I felt the program was helpful and prompt in answering questions.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a chambre de bonne. I was extremely happy with the family that I got. I only paid 250 eu a month and had to give the 15-year-old girl Spanish "classes" for 4 hours a week. MICEFA was amazing in helping me get this! <br /><br /> My family was amazing. I had complete independence for I didn't live with them, however I got the benefits of having a family whenever they invited me to eat, or when they invited me to their beach house for 2 weeks. I got sooo lucky :)!

I made my own food so I can't complain. I sometimes ate out, but it's expensive. If you wanna eat out, I recommend gyros, pizza, or anything not very healthy but cheap. If you wanna eat delicious food, you can find many places that charge 12-17 eu for a 3 course meal. One of my favorites is at Place Monge. There was also this really good basque restaurant at Place d'Italie. Order the veal hmm.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There is no way that you can't have fun in Paris. Be fun, be adventurous, but be careful too, like you would everywhere else.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was lucky enough to be in one of the best areas of town. I never really left the city of Paris (never went to the suburbs). Some of my friends attended a University in the suburbs and they said it was ghetto but never really felt threatened. I never heard of anyone feeling unsafe. I lived by myself and walked everywhere, at night I took the metro or if it was too late I called a cab. I usually preferred to be with people, just in case, but sometimes I came home alone. The only time I felt at risk was when I was walking to a part on the 11th arrondissement (not the safest, let's just say), and a car full of guys started talking to us (three friends and I). We ignored them but they kept bugging. We were pretty scared. Finally they got tired of yelling and left. I feel like if there's any risks these involved men who didn't know when to walk away. I fell off a bike while in Arcachon with my host family. I tried to use my health insurance but didn't work. Maybe it was my fault, who knows? But the program didn't really help me.

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

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• Local Students