Exchange Student in Paris August 02, 2023
By A student (French Language, Literature, Washington University in St. Louis) - abroad from 01/04/2023 to 05/19/2023 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
After spending a lot of time in France throughout my childhood, it was important to me to gain insight into what *living* life in Paris would entail (if it was more than a fantasy), and if I could successfully/realistically create my own life there. I definitely feel like I made it a second home -- it was very worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months | 
Review Your Program
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 * Overall educational experience
 Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.  | 
 I found the French University's formulaic approach to be a lot less captivating, but I definitely learned a lot  | 
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 * Host Country Program Administration
 On-site administration of your program  | 
 
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 * Housing:
 How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?  | 
 
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| * Food: | 
 
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 * Social & Cultural Integration:
 How integrated did you feel with the local culture?  | 
 
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 * Health Care:
 How well were health issues addressed during the program?  | 
 N/A  | 
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? | 
Yes
 
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Finances
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 * 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)  | 
 
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 500-800 | 
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes | 
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language  | 
 
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| 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? | B2? | 
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 
Other Program Information
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 * Where did you live?
 Select all that apply  | 
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 * Who did you live with?
 Select all that apply  | 
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 * Who did you take classes with?
 Select all that apply  | 
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| 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? | 
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| * What could be improved? | 
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I felt well prepared | 
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