Independent Academic Adventure in Paris - Paris-Sorbonne University Past Review
By Tyler H (Georgetown University) - abroad from 06/10/2008 to 07/31/2008 with
Sorbonne University: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes absolutely
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved the flexibility the small size of the program allowed - the program director was super open to helping me nurture my own academic interests. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was well organized and contacting the program leaders when problems arose was easy. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amazing apartment in the 16th arrondissement with a girl around my age studying in Paris. |
| * Food: |
For the most part I was left to my own devices with food - which I was fully ok with. The meals that the program treated us to were very good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
n/a for me and as far as I can remember no severe health issues arose with anyone on my program. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Paris is a very expensive city and there is no way around that to some extent. The program director was helpful in getting us the cheapest form of transportation and showing us inexpensive food options though. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy a monthly metro pass if they still have it and use your Sorbonne ID everywhere you go (museums, etc.) for discounts. |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Intermediate French |
| 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? | Be adventurous and make french friends. |
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? | That you have to put yourself out there more to gain fluency in a language. |
