Good Program, Needed Different Classes Past Review
By A student (Finance, Baylor University) - abroad from 01/16/2015 to 05/16/2015 with
Parsons Paris: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Just because of the two classes I listed earlier it was hell. The program itself is great and I had some good times, although it was almost not worth it because of my class schedule
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were good, although I would NOT recommend computational finance or global political economy to any student wishing to experience Paris outside the classroom. I had little to no time for cultural immersion because of these two classes (40+ hours a week studying). Otherwise it was fine. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Special thanks to Ms. Chiara Cruciano and Mrs. Sheila Kaupert (now gone) for helping me come abroad to Paris, they were timely, genuine and very helpful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There should be rules set to encourage (and possibly enforce) each housemate to do their fair share throughout the semester and especially at the end. I was left with my friend (visiting from London) to clean up after my housemates on my last full Friday in Paris because they left bags and bags of trash and clothes and did not bother to sweep or even clean their room or the bathroom. I felt terrible for my friend, she did not visit Paris to help me clean so I can move out without a fine |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I did not have much time to integrate, although I generally had good experiences with the culture, especially when I spoke French. There were kind people willing to take their time speaking with me and there was a lot to see. The cashiers at the grocery stores are the worst in terms of rudeness, even when you're speaking French (although that's a different matter). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Sometimes guys will comment or stare; just don't walk alone at night if you can help it, especially in metro/train stations where people loiter |
| 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) |
Paris is expensive, although I had to plan for that |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to cook meals with each other so you don't eat out as much |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | If I had been able to take different classes I would have |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
