Paris, a growing experince. Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 06/30/2016 with

MICEFA: Versailles - Study Abroad at Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to organize myself and how to organize trips, as well as how to ease off tension between individuals who have a disagreement. Disagreements happened very often during my trips and stay in Paris, but they never escalated to anything drastic.

Review Photos

MICEFA: Versailles - Study Abroad at Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University Photo MICEFA: Versailles - Study Abroad at Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University Photo MICEFA: Versailles - Study Abroad at Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University Photo MICEFA: Versailles - Study Abroad at Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I did not have any problems with MICEFA, but it would have been nice to attend Sciences Po. MICEFA does not offer this.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

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

The program and the city, in general, are expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 euros approximately.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving since your freshman year.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 611 Intermediate French
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Talk to strangers all the time! And try to speak it with your friends whenever you can.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked the help I received from the staff
  • I liked the classes I took because of the program
* What could be improved?
  • The program should abstain from making students open a French bank account if they don't need one.
  • The program should abstain from making the students get a French number if their American number works internationally.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew about all the affordable markets and food places that Paris has to offer, as well as affordable transportation means in Europe.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.