Wonderful experience! August 16, 2023

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Middlebury School in Paris provided an excellent academic experience that was both challenging and that overall positively contributed to my academic goals. Taking 1 course in language at the Middlebury Center and 4 courses in the subjects that I study at Sciences Po was a great recipe for success.

On-site administration of your program

All of the staff members at the Centre Madeleine were very helpful and kind. I liked that they encouraged independence.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a host family in the 12e and overall I had a great experience. I am still in touch with my host family and have seen my host sister multiple times since leaving Paris (she has since moved to the US).

The food in Paris was amazing. I am a big fan of French food and going out to dinners on the weekends and for lunch during the week was one of the highlights of my abroad experience. My host mom was a good cook as well. Snacking culture is not very big in France and meals are a bit smaller than the US, but I adjusted quickly.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I overall felt very integrated with the local culture. I feel as if I took advantage of all of the cultural opportunities that Paris had to offer. I found it difficult to make french friends outside of my host sister and other international students studying at my host university.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When I had a health issue abroad, the Middlebury Center was very helpful in directing me to where I needed to go. In terms of the French system, I did not find any issues accessing care. I think things were just a bit confusing as it was in a different language and a different doctor.

I lived in a very safe neighborhood which I was very thankful for. Overall, I feel as if Paris is a safe city. In terms of advice, make sure you are "with it" on the metro after a night out. The two times in Paris where I felt unsafe were instances where I was being followed. I simply went into a restaurant and waited things out.

I felt supported at the Middlebury School in Paris and I enjoyed that they also gave us a lot of independence. Being able to study at Sciences Po was such a great opportunity. I did find it difficult that the majority of Sciences Po students take courses in English.

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

I honestly spent a lot of money while I was abroad. I had saved for several years to prep for this abroad experience and was thankful that my parents were also financially supporting large portions of my abroad experience.

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

We were strongly encouraged to always speak French expect for emergencies and for communication with our parents.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• Being able to live in Paris and get to know the city.
• The many cultural components of the program (Middlebury sponsored and also Sciences Po).
• The independence.

• Perpigon and Carcassone trip could have probably been just one of the cities so that we weren't driving so much during that weekend.
• N/A
• N/A

The Outright Urbanite