French Language and Culture in Paris June 03, 2022
By Dara G (Political Science, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/10/2022 to 05/13/2022 with
Sarah Lawrence College: Paris - Sarah Lawrence College in Paris
I gained a lot of language learning skills and skills as a global citizen. It was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was very interesting and rewarding to experience the Sarah Lawrence style of education for a semester. Most of the classes I took had less than 10 people which forced engagement in a very constructive and positive way especially for the French classes. My French class was 3 people and I absolutely loved the professor and the intimate experience. I would not have learned as much French that fast without the Sarah Lawrence style of education. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administration was small but extremely nice and helpful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the international dorms-Cite U which was great but a much different experience than I would have gotten with a host family. I was able to meet French students and students from all over the world and the living facility hosted a lot of social events which made meeting outside the program people very accessible. I would have enjoyed though to be more immersed in the French language through a host family living arrangement. |
| * Food: |
I enjoyed the food I ate very much! but none of it was provided by the program so it was just a reflection of the city. It is expensive at times though compared to other cities in france. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated because of my living arrangements and through spending time with my own French family but it was a little difficult to be truly integrated because of Reid Hall being an anglophone institution. Still, the French immersion component to the program and the courses at outside institutions definitely helped with immersion. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was very accessible and a much more positive experience than in the U.S. The program helped most students get French social security numbers so all necessary appointments, medications and procedures were free and they connected us to a English speaking doctors office which was very helpful and comforting. |
| * Safety: |
I personally had no issues in Paris with safety at all. I traveled in the city until very late at night and even felt pretty comfortable taking public transportation alone until the trains on the weekend closed at 2 am. I have heard of people being pickpocketed closer to the city center but that is the extent of crime that I witnessed. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really enjoyed the program! |
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) |
It depended from week to week and probably would have been much easier if I was living in a host family. Paris as a city is very expensive for food but it is possible especially in the outer arrondissements to live on a budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 170 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to the weekend markets and live in a host family if you are looking to save money. Pack lunches as well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 104 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Engage in the courses and daily life. Go out and talk to French people in any way possible, at restaurants, in classes, at the Cite U... |
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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| 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? | I wish I knew more about the Sarah Lawerence style of education with the tutorial system. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
