Paris magnifique Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

France grades on a 0-20 grade scale, not 0-100. Unlike here in the States, where it is possible to get a 95 or above (with a lot of hard work, no doubt), it is literally impossible to obtain higher than a 16 at French universities. So, it's nearly impossible to get an A or A-. Note, I was taking courses specifically for local students, not courses for foreigners. The courses for foreigners are more lax in their grading. The professors that I had were not the most engaging. They read off of their powerpoints, and sort of talked at us, not with us. Most courses here in the U.S. are an hour or so a day, a few days a week. Over there, the courses are once a week ONLY. Personally, 3 hours of lecture--in a foreign language is the most sleep-inducing thing I have ever experienced. It's hard enough on your brain trying to follow in a different language. Listening to a monotone professor for three hours is very difficult to mentally handle.

On-site administration of your program

They were efficient in returning emails and I enjoyed being in a program with people from all over the US. I also got to meet French people that were interested in studying here at UT. But, they were disorganized. They didn't know much about the particular university that I studied at.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a studio apartment in the basement of a family's home in Saint Germain en Laye, 30min outside of Paris. Their house was situated next to a forest, and was a very safe town. The town was on the same subway line as my university, and only 15 min away. I aupaired for the family that I lived with, and my housing was through them, not MICEFA. Most people rely on MICEFA's help to find a place, but I was lucky and my housing was guaranteed before I went to France. I found my family on an aupairing website: www.aupair-world.net My host family was above and beyond what I would have expected. They treated me with warmth and welcomed me into their home as if I was family. I couldn't have hoped to live with a better family.

French food is expensive, but amazing. Macarons are the greatest culinary invention ever. Try them. In Paris it is especially expensive. Just try to cook a lot of your own meals if you are trying to budget and save money.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The World Cup was fun to watch, field trips to Fontainebleau, Giverny; Pont des Arts for wine and cheese with friends, walking along the Seine, tea at the mosque. Paris is a great city with so much to do. You will never be bored.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Just like any other big city, there are parts that are less safe than others. You just have to be smart about it: stay in groups, be aware etc.

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

The problem with being in Paris, is that everyone speaks English there. Even when they pretend not to know it, they do. I came across several French people that heard my American accent and immediately started speaking to me in English. You really have to take the initiative and speak the language to as many people as you can. I regret not speaking it with my American friends, for it would have improved even more than it did. Living with a host family is, in my opinion, the BEST way to improve a language. You are forced to speak the language that you are unfamiliar with. It is also useful to find ways to speak to people your own age, either through school or by other means. I'd recommend this website to meet and have conversations with foreigners that equally want to learn english: www.conversationexchange.com

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• Local Students