Paris: a marvelous yet challenging experience;p Past Review
By Ana Victoria P (Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin) for
Sciences Po: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Oh yes! I loved it:D, had a great time, even though at first had some downfalls... but as time progressed, things got way better, and was able to do pretty much everything I wanted to do. Loved to travel, go out, and interact with people. Had a lot of free time, which gave me time to go to a lot of places in and outside the city, and hangout with friends. My cultural awareness definitely changed, as theirs is very different from ours. Future plans involve going back sometime soon... Have some friends that I want to go back and visit, and would love to make another Europe trip just for leisure time, and get to know more of what other countries have to offer. It definitely improved my French, as I was kind of forced to use it on a daily basis. Recommend getting to know native students so that you can get good interactions started, and build up a friendship with them, learn from their culture, and get some good advice as well.
Review Photos
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. |
grading system differs because its on a scale that goes up to 20... Don't try to divide this number into a 100 because it doesn't work this way. Pretty much an 17 and above is impossible to get, I MEAN IT. Professor don't believe in perfect students which means perfect scores are vanished, therefore they don't give any. To give an example; a student receiving a 14-15 should feel extremely good, because this is considered a pretty good grade for most;D... Relatively an A here. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Pretty much the administration there is not there to help you. One needs to figure out on its own, how things work, what times u can go and ask questions (meaning they don't open on a daily basis, or for a full day shift). NO add/drop period exists whatsover. So students are stuck with the classes they picked before even getting to the school. I would say very bureaucratic system. Mmm, strenghts: there's a small departement for international students if you have further questions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Beware of finding a house through an online site that is not certified! I mean it, because I was a victim of a fraud, and lost 800 euros for a home that didn't exist. Anyways, my second home was ok but far, so I moved again to a 3rd, and was much better;). Loved this place, got lucky and found someone who was renting out a room for a reasonable price. Had a valcony, nice view to the Eiffel Tower, spacious, and big kitchen compared to most places there... The location was great, there were various restaurants near by, shopping centers, movie center, METRO (very important): all these at a short walking distance. |
| * Food: |
Quality is great, price is $$$.... Get accustomed you won't get big portions anywhere! but food is great and very tasty;p... but there's a price for that, and it tends to be higher compared to food here. A downside is that price changes if you take it to go or if you stay and eat it inside. They tend to add a euro or 2 for eating inside. But hey, small portions mean less fat, so that's always good:). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Take advantage of your time abroad! What's really cool is that you get way more vacation days, therefore you should try to travel and get to know as much as you can! Its a great experience, and Paris is a fabulous city that has TONS AND TONS to offer... though you will experience tourism fatigue with so many tourists being there on a daily basis lol. Inside Paris, go to the museums, take advantage that it is FREE FOR STUDENTS, go the the "chateaux!" Outside Paris, I recommend going to "Mont-Saint Michel", go down to Nice and Monacco, visit Lyon, go to the Alps if possible, etc.... Outside France, well that's up to you, but definitely go to places! Many Europe countries are very beautiful and will recommend them all! Very different but fun in their own unique way;). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Concerning the safety; those "arrondissements" that are more attractive to the public eye tend to have higher security because of all the people that visit them. Though I will advice that you must b careful when riding the metro... had various experiences when people tried to rob things, and at times succeded. Be catious with your belongings, as there are many PICKPOCKETERS. Not just in Paris, but its well known throughout Europe as well. Just be careful, and never leave anything unattended... They will take it in a sec. As far as health goes: its a great system:D.... you're covered for most, though u do need an international insurance for that, and another one with the school abroad. But for those who are citizens, health is pretty cheap and universal;). |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
In my situation, my roommate was a French native, therefore it facilitated my learning process... Besides having French roommates, I would recommend getting yourself involved in one of the extracurricular activities offered... This would help your language skills greatly;) |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Those who are extroverts. I think that it'd be easier for them to adapt, since it pretty much depends on you. You will do most of the work, and if you're a bit timid, I would recommend that you start to explore your surroundings, and push your limits. I guarantee you'll get more out of it. Its always better if you know how to start a conversation and are not shy to make an approach with a stranger. Trust me, there'll be times when you'll be lost and have no option than to ask a pedestrian to help you out. Finally, don't be afraid; take advantage of your time abroad, make the most out of it, try new things, new food, get involved in new adventures,travel, meet new people, and have a blast! Its definitely worth it... |
