Paris: Living the dream Past Review
By Nathalie M (HISTORY., Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Paris
Living abroad made me realize how much I'd like to repeat the experience. I loved learning a new language and cultural customs. The history and art in Paris had me looking up everywhere I went.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Institut Catholique |
| 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 TIP classes were very similar to classes here at Tufts. Grading was a little hard to get used to since it is such a different mentality. The curve scale though was very helpful. The French classes were very hard to get used to though. The students would talk during lecture and the professors didn't seem to care if anyone was paying attention. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Loved both AnnSo and Laurent. They were able to help with everything I needed. Laurent was so great with suggestions for combating homesickness and getting me excited to be there again. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Neighborhood was very safe but a little out of the way. Still easy access to class and nightlife. Host family treated me like a cousin or the daughter of a friend. Not quite like family but not really a guest. |
| * Food: |
Living with an Italian family there was always food. They were great about making sure I had what I liked and trying new things. Lunch was easiest to go to a boulangerie but picnic lunches from the grocery were great too. Eating in the Marais was always a good time. Try Cambodian food and definitely go to the Mosque for tea or dinner. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All the tufts trips were great. Really loved the chance to get to know the other students right off the bat with orientation. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never had any problems or felt unsafe. The neighborhood was very quiet, could walk home at anytime. Others had occasional problems with pickpockets. |
| 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? | 50 - 60 euro per week. The Tufts stipend was more than enough. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you enjoy cooking, try to do so. We didn't until after spring break but always had so much fun and it was much cheaper. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Upper level literature (100 level classes) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Spoke french exclusively with my host family and in classes. Also used french when out and about in the city. |
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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