Loading...

navigation

< prev next >

Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): Paris - Intensive month at Sorbonne

Submitted by AmericanParisian (Psychology,Rice University) on June 29th, 2009

Helpful

Not Helpful

jump to:
Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Participation Year:

2009

Term:

Spring

If you enrolled at multiple foreign universities, please list them here:

Sorbonne

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

**Comment:

I truly enjoyed my academic experience. The conferences were a bit boring to be perfectly honest, and a bit challenging as well because of the way that multiple levels are put together (Intermediate, Advanced, and Superior were all in the same conferences). However, my grammar class and my phonetics class were truly helpful to me and really allowed me to improve not only my understanding of French and proper structure, but also in my pronunciation of the words that allow one to communicate even more effectively.

Click Here to Review a Course!

Course Title:

Grammar - Intermediate 12

Language of Instruction:

French

Please comment on the course:

It was a great course, truly helpful. I really enjoyed the individual attention, the small classes, and the interactive way the class is taught. You mainly do homework and then you are called upon to answer a question. You also read stories and then answer questions about them (in preparation of the final Oral exam). You do not turn homework in typically, but it is best to do it, otherwise you are not getting all that you can out of it, and the final will be all the more difficult. Classes are 2 hours, but they go by pretty quickly.

Please rate the course overall:

Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

Course

**Course Title:

L'approche à l'actualité en France

**Language of Instruction:

French

**Please comment on the course:

Professor was often difficult to understand and the class was more like a History lesson than an actual discussion on current events. With all the events going on in France at the time (the numerous strikes, G20) we mostly talked about French presidents like Mitterrand and de Gaulle. I therefore believe the name of the class is a misnomer...the final was also fairly difficult.

**Please rate the course overall:

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

Course

**Course Title:

Les Courants Artistiques en France du 19th siècle

**Please comment on the course:

Not so interesting, however I am not a huge fan of art past (post)impressionism. It was a fairly easy final. The professor was nice, and I did enjoy the class (the class is full of paintings on powerpoint). Also, all conferences are two hours long, although professors rarely take up the whole 2 hours (many times they give a break, or start late, end early, etc.).

**Please rate the course overall:

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

Course

**Course Title:

Phonetics

**Language of Instruction:

French

**Please rate the course overall:

**Please comment on the course:

I truly enjoyed this class. The professor was very laid back, but was also very effective. We were taught the phonetic alphabet (don't worry, you do not have to learn it, although some others did), and were given sentences to practice. Sometimes, when something was particularly difficult, she would make us say a sentence one by one, but it was not embarrassing at all. The class lasts 1 hour and you spend 30 minutes in class, and 30 minutes practicing in a lab.

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

No.

Language Overall

**Language acquisition improvement?

**Comment:

In a place like France, you must use French. The people do not know as much English as you would think, however, if you try to speak French, they are very understanding and very nice. Although I spoke English a lot with the people in my API program, everywhere else I spoke French, in class, restaurants, on the streets. It was very helpful and my language skills greatly improved.

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

**Please explain the program's strengths and weaknesses:

The administrators were very nice, but at times they were a bit unaccessible and difficult to approach. They had a great knowledge of the city and were overall very nice and helpful.

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Dorm

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

I enjoyed my housing. I stayed at the Fondation des Etats Unis which is apart of the larger Cité Universitaire which is a community of several houses for different countries/regions (i.e. Mexico, Tunisia, Argentina). There is someone at the front 24 hrs a day 7 days a week. It was a great experience...bathrooms are co-ed though this did not prove to be a problem at all...there are full doors that lock and there are never really a lot of people in there.

Housing was great, it was safe and it was right across from the infamous RER B and the tram. However, nightlife and cheap restaurants cannot be found anywhere close, which can be inconvenient when you want to get something quick. However, food is just 1 stop away on the RER.

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

France is famously the place to eat great food, but that food is at a high price...cheap food includes kebabs, Macdo, Subway, crêpes, sandwiches (ham and cheese). Due to this restricted diet, I did not enjoy my food experience. However, if you want to go out, Mussels and fries (usually for 12 euros...cheap) is a typical dish for those who like shell fish. Steak is also popular. Don't miss the nutella crêpes...they are amazing!!!

Safety and Health Overall

**How well were health issues addressed through your program?

**Safety:

**Comment:

I did not have any serious health issues during my trip, but during the swine flue outbreak, our administrators did check on us. I did feel safe in the neighborhood I lived in and all my friends felt the same, whether home stay or apartment.

Money Overall

**How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

General Assessment Overall

**Words of wisdom:

Have fun, take courage, and be active! Do not take yourself to seriously. I look back at the words of wisdom I've read and they were so right! You're country will be there when you get back, you will only be in your host country for a short time. When you're sad, be sad, but don't stay in your room or alone. Grab someone and get out there...go to the API center (there's alway someone there), go to a park (Tuileries, Luxembourg), go catch a movie! Paris awaits! API is a great program! I feel like I got a bang for my buck!

**Overall satisfaction with your study abroad experience:

**Was your study abroad experience worthwhile?

My experience was truly amazing. I grew into such an independent person during that time, but also having the ability to get help if I needed it. My French improved GREATLY! Although I had never been out of the US until now, the experience was definitely worth the initial culture shock and I definitely feel like I am a more understanding, accepting, and knowledgeable person as a result of this experience. The stereotypes in my head about French people and French culture were shattered. I feel that although French people can be difficult to meet, they are very friendly and they love Americans! This trip taught me never to judge people by what you hear other say about them. It also threw me into the deep end and allowed me to grow spiritually, mentally, and intellectually. To go to another place where the political climate, the people, the lifestyle, and just about everything else is completely different is an invaluable experience. That is not to say it was easy. Sometimes all I wanted to do was go back home where I could go anywhere I wanted on Sunday and the shops not be closed, or where massive strikes didn't impede on my everyday routine, or where I could understand what the people around me were saying! It got frustrating, but just like anything worthwhile, you must stick with it to benefit from it. I am definitely glad I did. I can honestly say I feel like a better person for my experience. I feel more accepting and understanding of other ways of life. I feel that in the process I truly became Parisian in my own right, and I would recommend studying abroad to everyone.

Loading...

Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): Paris - Intensive month at Sorbonne

STUDY ABROAD REVIEWS

Featured Programs

Welcome To Your Planning Bar

Login to Abroad101