SUNY at the Sorbonne Changed My Life! Past Review
By Derek B (French, SUNY - Stony Brook) for
SUNY Oswego: Paris - La Sorbonne
It was absolutely worth it. Even if you aren't a French major.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Paris - La Sorbonne |
| 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. |
The program is amazing and the staff is very helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Living in the foundation requires some adjustment and traveling to class by train can be a little intimidating at first. The city is also pretty expensive. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Fondation des Etats-Unis is a lot of fun to live in. You will have your own private room and sheets are changed out every two weeks. Residents use communal bathrooms and showers and has laundry facilities. The printer in the computer room does not always work and if you'll be there for the semester, it may be in your best interest to invest 50 or so euros in a printer that you'll surely be able to sell to someone at the end. |
| * Food: |
Eating at the university restaurant was mediocre, but if you're on a budget (as you most likely will be) it is the best option next to cooking. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to Belgium and Champagne and had a great time in both places. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The program director in Paris can arrange for you to be brought to the hospital at any time. |
| 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? |
The language courses are very thorough and you learn a lot. |
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 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? | You will always go over budget, so don't beat yourself up over it (too much). Give yourself AT LEAST 35 minutes to get to class from the foundation and expect the occasional transit strike. Don't forget, you're there to learn french, so make friends with the native locals (because you'll almost never speak it in the foundation, unfortunately.) Also, if you go out, have a few drinks in the building so you don't spend so much at the bars/clubs, they can be a bit pricey (but check for the erasmus parties, they're for international students and are usually pretty good.) Also, be respectful at all times. |
