API (Academic Programs International): Paris - La Sorbonne Photo

Paris: An amazing and rewarding cultural experience

Program Information

Students in the Language and Culture Studies Program select a combination of French language and cultural electives, referred to as French Civilization courses. The number of credits earned for each language course and the cultural electives varies according to the particular session a student selects. Additio... More

Provider: Academic Programs International (API)
Location(s): Paris, France
Year Founded: 1997
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Katherine O. (Management, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania) on January 20, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2010-05-25
* End Date: 2010-07-31
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were fantastic, I feel that I really learned the material. It was taught very well and the requirements for classes were made clear.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program directors were amazing! They were helpful and always there for us when we needed them, yet they pushed us to explore our limits.

* Housing:

The neighborhood was in a very nice area of Paris, and my host family was wonderful! They cooked dinner for me, and talking with them really improved my language skills.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The extracurricular trips were amazing! We went to the south of France, got to see the Mediterranean Sea, and experience different parts of France that I never would have heard of otherwise.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania prepare and support you for your time abroad?

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

While most people in France did speak some degree of English, it was much more interesting to try to use French in daily life. I needed to use French with my host family and in classes, but it was an amazing experience to break me out of my comfort zone.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? Yes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Keep an open mind!
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? My study abroad was DEFINITELY worthwhile! I would love to go back for a much longer time! It really opened my eyes to the global connections we form and how small the world is becoming.