Great hisory, less great future Past Review

By (Pace University) - abroad from 01/05/2012 to 06/16/2012 with

MICEFA: Paris - Study Abroad at University of Paris - Sorbonne

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. Paris has great history and architecture/culture/museums. But the Parisians are not the greatest. They have recently voted in a Socialist President, which will only assist the lack of care given by most parisians.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: MICEFA CLASSES, UNIVERSITY OF PARIS 8- SAINT DENIS
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Some classes were difficult, but most were very boring and not interactive.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were as helpful as an understaffed office could be.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Found it in the Micefa Listings, got a studio in the center of Paris for $600 a month. Shared with a nice guy in the program.

* Food:

Can be expensive but always delicious. Having daily pain au chocolate withdrawals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Maybe not completely integrated, but there were many occasions where I understood how their traditions and expectations came into play.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

N/A

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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 is expensive, but you only do it once, so it is best to spend a little extra and just do it right.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $180
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? VELIB!!!! €30 for the YEAR!!! beats the metro for inner paris travel, and mostly worked greatly.

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

Usually started convos in French.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? FRE 305
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? Go to a good university and make friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • abcense
* What could be improved?
  • less emails
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Need a visa.