An amazing first international experience! August 28, 2023
By Kiersten B (Illustration, Rochester Institute of Technology) - abroad from 06/23/2023 to 07/22/2023 with
SAI Study Abroad: Paris - Paris College of Art (PCA)
I learned that I love traveling. And that I should give myself more credit for all that I accomplish!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Extremely helpful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our apartment was in a Parisian neighborhood. I felt immersed and visited a local boulangerie each day. Got to interact with some of my neighbors. |
| * Food: |
Amazing boulangeries, patisseries, etc. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Got to use my French with locals! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
SAI provided me the tools and tips to fully immerse myself in the Parisian culture. I learned very quickly how to use the RATP (public transport), visited beautiful sites, met some amazing friends, and developed my artistic skills in class. |
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? | Spent about 150 euros each week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start a basic savings account before you depart. Also consider buying a few essentials for your apartment when you don't want to go out for dinner. I.e. pasta, toast, etc. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Be prepared to be frustrated the first few days, it gets easier!! |
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! |
