Tufts-In-Paris: Learning to be Independent in the City of Lights Past Review
By Andrea S (Math, Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Paris
I am more independent and confident in myself. I can live on my own in a big city, fly on airplanes by myself, take public transportation, and navigate it all in a foreign language. I definitely gained an international perspective. America bores me- I need to see more places and do more things!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Tufts did a good job explaining the French system and making sure we understood grading and assignment expectations. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was small enough that everyone had enough attention paid to them. Staff was very accessible and cared a lot about our happiness/satisfaction with our experience. My expectations were exceeded. I had a personal issue at the beginning of the program that made me uncertain whether I wanted to stay in France or go home to America. The program administrators were very sensitive to my problem and offered advice and talked to Deans and people at Tufts to figure out the logistics of my going home. In the end, I decided to stay for just that reason- the staff was so kind and caring and invested in the program and my experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a family but in a room on a different floor of the apartment building. I had a lot of independence but also a family to come home to and eat with at night. I was very happy and the family was very nice and accommodating. |
| * Food: |
The program opens a bank account for you and deposits a stipend each month for lunch every day and dinner two nights a week. Get lunch in boulangeries on Rue Vaugirard (Jean Paul Charbonnier - number 123) or Rue Littré- both really close to the Tufts facilities. Eat where the students eat : Rue Vavin (Wok Bar) or Rue de Rennes (Francesa) for warm noodles when it's cold out. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everything! Ann-So was great at organizing monthly cultural outings to the opera or plays or performances, as well as suggesting other events for us to go to. The 150 euro stipend was a nice incentive to do cultural things. The trips to Giverny, Strasbourg and the Loire Valley were so awesome and memorable and special. All of the planning was done for us and we just got to enjoy the trip. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I didn't have any health issues while on the program. |
| 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? | Approximately $150 per week (most of which was covered by the program food stipend) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In the first month expect to spend a lot more- cell phone, hair dryer, clothes, toiletries, etc. Trips around Europe get expensive really fast. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 31 and 32 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice the language with my friends and host family. I needed to use the language every day. Most people spoke limited English. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't expect to be babied, but you'll have your needs met. You're the best judge of what's best for you and you get out of the experience what you put in. This is such an amazing program that any student will benefit from it. |
