Manger Bouger! Past Review
By A student (International Relations & Music, Tufts University) - abroad from 01/07/2012 to 06/02/2012 with
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Paris
I learned SO much about myself - about living in a big family, about finding my way and getting lost in a big incredible city, about how to introduce myself to people and keep up relationships, about French etiquette and customs, etc.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Paris I, Paris III, Tufts courses |
| 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. |
French coursework is very different than in the US. I had way more free time (due to no extracurriculars and less class time) and less work. However, the fact that I was writing and reading in French did slow me down a bit. |
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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? |
I loved my host family - undeniably the best part of my stay. |
| * Food: |
La gastronomie française - what can I say? Though some host mothers were rumored to be terrible cooks, mine was fine. And you can always go out to eat! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Sometimes when I was with my host family, very much so. Other times, I did feel the "Tufts bubble" that others had warned me of. However, it is up to you to leave this bubble! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues, so I cannot really provide a rating, but this site won't let me do a n/a response. |
| * Safety: |
Most Paris crime is pick-pocketing, which can be easily avoided with some common sense and awareness. Tufts also told us which areas to avoid at night. Even when I took the Noctilien home at 4 in the morning, I felt quite safe. That being said, I lived in the 16th, which is super safe... |
| 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) |
Its a shame I have extravagant taste. I spent most of my stipend on clothes, going to concerts/operas, and a couple really pricey meals. The rest of the time, my host family let me use their fridge and kitchen to store food and prepare my lunches, which helped A LOT. Also, grocery/market shopping in Paris is fun! |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | As much as they gave us...I can't remember! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make your own lunches if you can, it really helps! Or go to Rue Sainte-Anne, or the area around Oberkampf for super cheap and delicious food. |
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 |
Jumbo parle français ici! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | I had completed FR-22 and taken three literature courses. |
| 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? | Make French friends and talk to your host family. Get to know your host siblings' friends, any relatives you may meet, neighbors, etc. |
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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* 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? | I would have gone for a year! |
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.' |
