Difficult, but 100% worth it Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 12/22/2014 with
Sciences Po: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Language skills, appreciation for natural beauty
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. |
Was hard because of the language barrier, and having all written grades. Which meant that grades were more subjective |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in a very small apartment, but with French roommates. Positive trade-off |
| * Food: |
CROISSANTS. BAGUETTES. PAIN AU CHOCOLAT. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I found a way to be integrated with the culture due to my roommates, not necessarily the SciencesPo students themselves |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Had no problems |
| * Safety: |
Lived in the 15th arrondissement, so it wasn't bad. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Struggle bus |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Baguettes, and pasta are really what most students who live by themselves eat. |
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 |
There was no inherent encouragement since they told us to take the classes offered in English. But there was the option to take classes in French, so I did it. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | French roommates. |
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? | The atmosphere of SciencePo and it's students is a lot more prestigious than I expected. And the professors don't necessarily use syllabi. AND all grades are by written examination |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
