Past Review
By Kristen G (HISTORY., SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Oswego: Paris - La Sorbonne
I loved being abroad. It made me appreciate home more; I also fell in love, made great friends, lived in a large city, learned a little French, and built up my resume!
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Learned a lot of French, though I'm not fluent- you need to go to a small school and live with a family for that. Not possible through SUNY. MICEFA maybe but you're on your own for housing through that. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was average. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Average. Very very average. Had my own room. Better than other 2 dorm settings. Lived with your friends, which was awesome. <br /><br /> Average |
| * Food: |
I rarely ate b/c I was so busy. I've lost a ton of weight, though other students complain of gaining weight. Lots of pasta, paninis, and Resteau U (on Cite U campus). Going out=expensive |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
So much to do on your own and with friends. Hard to find extracurricular activities. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was fine. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Tons. Exchange rate is awful. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In the Fondation des etats-unis I had to buy a fridge. Food is more expensive here, as well as everything else in general. This is the money pit. If you get a French bank account you can get more than 100euro per month back (retro active). Go to CAF.fr or something. All in french. Do as soon as you have an account, don't wait. To get account, tell them you are getting an internship ("un stage"). |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Much better at understanding, speaking, and grammar in French. Not fluent- must go to small village where there is 0 access to English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes 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? | It is what you make of it. You will improve and have fun, but you will not be fluent. Not possible. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced French Grammar |
| Course Department: | FR380 |
| Instructor: | Not sure |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Great for students with internship... Really understanding about getting work done! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No problems. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Modern Life and Thought |
| Course Department: | FR356 |
| Instructor: | Don't Know |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Very challenging. Final extremely difficult. Teacher is very engaging, but speaks quickly. He gives packets at beginning of semester. Recommend reading packets before class. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No Problem |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Paris, France and Europe in the XIXth century |
| Course Department: | FR495A |
| Instructor: | Celine Garelli |
| Instruction Language: | French/English |
| Comments: | I love French history, so this was a no brainer. However, the course has a mix of all levels of students and is early in the mornings. Half English, half French, so not really amazing for your French language practice. However, don't let that deceive you, the midterm and final are extremely difficult and require advanced preparation for sure. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Social and Economical Geography of France |
| Course Department: | Geo497 |
| Instructor: | Not Sure |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | This course is taught by 2 old professors. Prof #1 is easy to understand, and prof #2 has a "Brugongian" accent, making it hard to understand, though if you ask for an outline, he will give it. The final was written by prof #2. 5 multiple choice and and essay. Multi choice hard, but the essay was kind of a no brainer. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I didnt realize this would not transfer as French credits, and I needed the French credits... I will have to bargain with the French department to get the credits- hopefully it works out. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
FR499 |
| Course Department: | French internship |
| Instructor: | N/A |
| Instruction Language: | N/A |
| Comments: | Depends on the experience. The paper is hard, but don't stress too much about the oral presentation. Very hard to watch friends go out and you have to stay in b/c you have work and classes the next day. I would only do this if you are considering working abroad in the future b/c it can lead to good connections. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | N/A |
