Paris: All the good and All the Bad Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was very unbalanced compared to the USA, in that there were only 2 or 3 total grades during the semester, but there wasn't much accountability or checks and balances until the very end of the semester when everything was due, so I felt that I crammed most of the semester's work into a weeklong period of extreme stress, and the rest of the time there were no studying responsibilities. Also, the papers and presentations that formed our grades were always personally chosen projects that related to the main class topic, but didn't actually correlate to what we were studying in class (unless we chose a topic that went with what was on the syllabus, a specific Shakespeare play for example). So there was not as much cohesion between what you learned in lecture and then application in your actual projects, as they were often not related. Regardless, I still learned a lot, and I think the process is just different, not necessarily worse.

On-site administration of your program

I feel that the Micefa workers in France could have been more friendly and helpful, as they often seemed too busy to devote substantial time to each individual, but ultimately I was aided whenever I needed it. They were also very lose about monitoring our individual situations, and could have been more supportive in the house hunt process.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I detested my housing situation, which was located in the cheap but unattractive and unpleasent Chinatown quarter of Paris, and with a very particular and obsessive compulsive older woman. However, I found it myself, and I resolved my dissatisfaction by moving out and finding another apartment with an American friend, so taking that step made the rest of my semester much much more pleasant. I found my older French woman very difficult to live with, as she would go through stuff in my room to "clean" it for me, would yell at me about issues she had rather than discussing them with respect for me, and was altogether very particular and obstinate.

The food in Paris was very expensive, but delicious! Street food is plentiful and much more affordable than restaurants.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We took a field trip to Fontainebleau and to Versailles, outside of the city.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt as safe as you can in any big city, and as long as you are careful and use street smarts when going home at night, you should be fine. I had to get my wisdom teeth removed while abroad, and I was highly satisfied with the healthcare system and with my dental surgery on the whole. I had a professional and knowledgeable surgeon, and felt comfortable.

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

Most of my language exposure was during class time, as it was quite difficult to make native French friends. MICEFA did, however, host two mixers, through which I did meet all the French people that I kept in touch with the whole semester, so I very much appreciated that effort on their part. Spending as much time with French people and living with one or more is by far the best way to improve language skills. I would highly recommend making it a priority to try to live with a native french speaker.

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• Local Students