Immersion and Accomodation June 10, 2026
By Aurora S (Connecticut College) - abroad from 01/03/2026 to 05/23/2026 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris
Living in Paris was an expansive experience. It challenged me in a lot of ways, and helped me grow because of it. Paris is such a beautiful city, with spectacles and beautiful architecture and people and a moving, dynamic current. It's a city to get lost in and find yourself again. If I could, I'd do it all over again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took 2 classes with Middlebury, a language class and a thematic cinema course, and 2 courses at a local french university (université paris cité). I was also enrolled in a methodology class with Middlebury. The courses at Middlebury were really interested, and the professors were great and very accessible! The courses at the local university were definitely a challenge, but working with students in my classes made it a lot easier. I'm very grateful for the chance to really see the French school system. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at Middlebury in Paris were super friendly! They helped students adjust well, and I went to them after with a variety of questions not necessarily related to Middlebury, like administrative questions on my internship. It was a pleasure to talk to Lily and Nicole, the administrative assistants, every morning before class. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was lucky enough to have a really friendly host mother in a great location. Living in the 11e arrondissement meant I could explore the city in a residential, pleasant location. My host mother helped me get acclimated to the city, and taught me a lot about French culture and vocabulary. It's a great way to get a really immersive experience. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being at local universities means you can make local friends, which is the best way to get to know a city. Otherwise, I feel like I got a great view of the city, and really got to know its geography. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Paris is pretty safe! Keep up with general street smarts, and try not to be alone after dark, but for the most part I felt pretty safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Being in a program that really pushes you to immerse is incredibly helpful. Paris, and French culture, has so much to offer, and with a school that's there to support you in understanding it, you can begin to get a hold of a whole other world beneath your fingertips. |
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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep a budget, or at least keep a general track of what you are spending. |
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? | 400 level (highest level) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch TV and advertisements for slang, speak with people your age, get a host family, switch your phone into French, look at French content on social media |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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 wish I could have prepared myself for the schooling. At times, it was really difficult. I would advise future students to reach out to students in their class as soon as possible-- don't worry if you can't speak perfect French to them, they will most likely be willing to help. |
