Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning and Living in Paris, a 4-Month Adventure Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/06/2016 to 05/06/2016 with

Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became a more confident traveler and student, and became more self-sufficient as a person in general. It was absolutely worthwhile, and a truly life-changing experience.

Personal Information

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

Although there were certain things that I would definitely change about the program, APA gives its students many opportunities to become more involved and integrated into French culture. They took us on multiple organized trips around France, and to weekly shows (which could have been more varied, but were nice) to improve our perspectives on culture.

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
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Advanced

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • organized trips
  • support of the administrators
  • french classes at the headquarters
* What could be improved?
  • variety of the spectacles they brought us to
  • the amount of work and exams during final exam period
  • the process of signing up for classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that going abroad does not necessarily mean you will become instantly fluent after a month, despite what many people say. It takes much longer, and many people have not reached this point even after 4 months.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.