Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

THE BEST EXPERIENCE I'VE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! Past Review

By (Political Science and French, Presbyterian College) - abroad from 09/09/2015 to 12/11/2015 with

University Paris-Dauphine: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent, having to deal with adult things such as rent, groceries, cooking, budgeting money. My language skills have improved to such a great extent that would've have been achieved otherwise. Culturally, I learned so much and understood things that I wouldn't have been able to by just studying it at my home university.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Paris-Dauphine offered a very different variety of courses which I enjoyed very much.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had to find my own housing, which was very difficult to do. Nevertheless, the living arrangement I found was good.

* Food:

It's France. Food doesn't get any better.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was able to meet and become friends with such an amazing range of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Even though we spent just 4 months together, the relationships built will last a lifetime.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any experience/situation that required me to go through the healthcare system, however I was fully insured and that did give a great relief and comfort.

* Safety:

Regardless of the attacks, Paris was still a very safe city.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Paris was expensive. I spent at least $75 per week on simply just basic groceries alone, ham, cheese and bread, nothing special.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150 average
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Contact someone before-hand asking them how much they spent/what they spent it on per week so you could have an idea of how much to expect. Studying abroad is not as fun if you can't venture around. You don't want to go and end up staying at home the entire trip. So save as much as you can and budget your money wisely.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 302
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? Watch movies, listen to songs, read books, all in that language. The most important thing is to PRACTICE. Speak to someone in that language and even more important, BE CONFIDENT. Don't worry about messing up, you just have to wing it and take it all in.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people I became friends with.
  • The adult I've become.
  • LIVING IN PARIS!
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How registration would be like. That was the biggest struggle I had there that I think could've been less of a big deal if I knew ahead of time what to expect.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.