Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

SAI in Paris is the best experience of your life!! Past Review

By (Psychology, James Madison University) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 05/26/2015 with

SAI Study Abroad: Paris - American University of Paris (AUP)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent and take care of myself without the comforts of home. Learning how to travel independently and get around a city was very important

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were not terribly difficult and the course content was very interesting. Some very good professors

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Incredibly helpful and supportive in the process of living in a new country

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My apartment was little but great. I couldn't have pictured a better place to spend 4 months in Paris. Everything worked well and it was extremely comfortable

* Food:

Food in Paris is incredible and there's lots of great international options as well

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I could have done more but I did get to meet some great French people during my time abroad

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt safe, even during the Charlie Hebdo events going on I never felt like my safety was threatened

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? 50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook from home with groceries from the store If you are going to use the metro a lot, buy a monthly unlimited pass

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The Housing
  • The School
  • The Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • More diversity in students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How quickly it would be over!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.