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API Paris: the best kind of Paris

A Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): Paris - La Sorbonne

Submitted by Ashley Harper (English, French,female,University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa) on December 2nd, 2011

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Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Start Date:

Aug 24, 2010

End Date:

Dec 12, 2010

International exposure prior to program?

6 months+

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

**Comment:

The Sorbonne classes are challenging and manageable. You will only attend class for 2 hours every day of the week generally in the afternoon. It makes it easy to be able to get out and about around the city before class even starts! My instructor at the Sorbonne was interesting: he wrote plays in his free time and helped produce them. He was absolutely hilarious, too. We read a lot of different samples from works. Oh, and as a forewarning: study up on the subjunctif tense for the placement exam! There is also a written essay portion and also an oral examination. It's not too long but I found it more difficult than expected. Don't worry about the level you place into though--you'll learn so much, even if you don't think you will!

Language Overall

Foreign language component?

Yes

**Language acquisition improvement?

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

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

The on-site API staff is great. The on-site API office is great too, and located in a wonderful corner of Chatelet. It is easy to access by metro and in a good neighborhood. The staff is very knowledgeable and can help you out with most anything--just ask! The only downside was we wished the lounge in the office was open during nighttime hours so that we could take advantage of their awesome wifi more often!

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Apartment

Who did you live with?

Americans

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

My housing in Paris was absolutely fantastic--I lived in a beautiful apartment with three other American students in the 10th arrondissement. All basic amenities were provided. The house was clean, in very good shape, and located in a safe building. It was pretty centrally located in Paris and literally a few steps away from 2 major metro stops. Very cool arrondissment as well, located next to the Canal St. Martin and a couple stops away from Montmartre!

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

The food in Paris is great. There really is options for everyone. Try to visit small creperies instead of expensive cafes. They are affordable, delicious, and have a great environment!

Safety and Health Overall

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

**Safety:

**Comment:

Healthcare in France is much different than in the United States. API recommended me to a doctor when I had gotten very ill at the end of my program (sidenote: bring water-proof shoes if you decide to go to London). France overall is a very easy city to stay well in, however, if you have severe allergies to things such as cigarette smoke you must consider the fact that many Parisians smoke heavily in public areas.

Money Overall

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

General Assessment Overall

Review Title:

API Paris: the best kind of Paris

**Words of wisdom:

This program is helpful for the student who would like to benefit from a program provider to help arrange things while abroad (housing, classes, excursions) but still remain free and integrated into Parisian culture!

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

Yes

**Overall satisfaction with your study abroad experience:

**Was your study abroad experience worthwhile?

Studying abroad helped me to be a more globally aware, compassionate world citizen. My level of French increased drastically and my understanding of French culture increased as well. There are no words to describe the journey of Study Abroad! It is simply something you must explore on your own. It will change your life for the better.

Go abroad again!:

Grad School Abroad

Intern Abroad

Teach Abroad

Work Abroad

Volunteer Abroad

What did you like most about this program?

Awesome Excursions

What could be improved?

Nighttime API office hours

What did you like most about this program?

Helpful on-site staff

What did you like most about this program?

Fantastic housing arrangements

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API Paris: the best kind of Paris

A Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): Paris - La Sorbonne

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