Paris, je t'aime! Past Review
By Kallie B (Communication and Media Studies., Illinois State University) for
Novancia Business School Paris: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I am definitely more culturally aware now. My study abroad experience was worthwhile. I would have liked to take a language course while I was over there, so that I could communicate with the local people better. I would have also liked to stay for another couple weeks or another month since it was during the summer!
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. |
Workload was a bit unexpected. Before the program started, we were under the impression that we would be combining our class projects at the end of the program. Having four presentations and 2 tests in the final week was a bit much. Especially when we were not assigned a specific project until a week before in some cases! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The University was great. My problems were mostly with the ACCENT program that hosted our group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The 45 minute commute to class each day was too much. I would have liked for our dorms to be closer to our school. |
| * Food: |
I miss the food in the cafeteria at school! It was delicious! I was always satisfied and it wasn't too expensive! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of the excursions we took with our Paris Rhetoric class were amazing. I really enjoyed them and was glad that I got to see some of the great sights of Paris during class time. The only complaint I have about an excursion was one of the excursions through ACCENT. We went to the Palace of Versailles and I don\'t think that they gave us what we paid for. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I got sun poisoning, but I did not seek medical attention, so I cannot comment much on the health care system. I did feel safe throughout the program and I thought that ACCENT gave us some good safety tips before the program started. |
| 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? | About 100 dollars, and that's not including gifts/weekend travel. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep a budget! It is easy to spend a lot of money in Paris! Try to enjoy yourself, but don't go overboard! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be adaptable. Things might not always go as planned, but try to look at it as a learning experience and you will have a far better time. Go out and enjoy the food and the scenery. Stay away from the guys--they\'re creepy. And keep track of how much money you are spending! Make sure you have a budget because it\'s very easy to spend a lot of money in Paris! |
