Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Enjoy every moment Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Pennsylvania State University - Altoona) for

Penn State Altoona: Paris - Language, Culture and Cuisine

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Due to different levels of language, I recommend that there should be more bilingual tour guides. People were very nice and I personally had no problem though.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was supposed to stay with another Penn State student but she had visa problem and she could not make it..I had the room all by myself.

* Food:

The arranged dinner should have had more choices..

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Well, we were there for a week. I tried to eat various types and expose myself to the art world. I actually got two drawings, they are just awesome.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not that I know of.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I had a lot of things going through my head before the trip but then I was there, where I was considered as a stranger. I kind of felt alone - I enjoyed walking by myself with the great weather and the almighty metro pass. Sometimes you need to take your alone time and think about. If that is too much, just look around and enjoy the life as others do. (especially people in Paris!)