Unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience Past Review
By A student (French Studies., Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/14/2015 to 12/19/2014 with
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was incredible and absolutely worthwhile. I greatly improved my proficiency in the language I was there to study, met fun local friends, made a potentially lifelong friendship with another student in the program and traveled to more places than I ever thought possible.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ask your host family which grocery store has the lowest prices/best deals. Buy groceries and keep them in the fridge to make your own meals rather than buying sandwiches or other food every day. Limit yourself to one or two outings per week rather than eating out every day. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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 111 |
| 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? | Don't speak English with Americans in the program, speak the language you are learning as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Better budgeting skills to save more money and plan travel times, also I wish I could have known the students beforehand - even just an introduction on Facebook - so that we felt more at ease and less prone to cliques once we all met. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
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