APA Paris! Past Review
By Micaela Kelly (Bucknell University) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 05/10/2015 with
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
One hundred percent worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was very challenging, as it was just me in a paris university with all french students instead of the classes being run by english programs. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very involved! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved my host family. |
| * Food: |
Food was great, just wish my family ate a little healthier |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Pretty integrated, but not to the point where I made many french friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I luckily didn't get sick |
| * Safety: |
There has been some terrorist attacks in Paris, and other parts of France. I actually landed on the same day as Charlie Hebdo. However, I never felt unsafe in Paris while I lived there. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a great experience. |
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) |
Not too easy. I wanted to travel, so that took a large hit on my finances. It is definitely manageable, yet hard if you want to be more adventurous. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I'd recommend going grocery shopping every week and pack lunch, etc. instead of always buying things. |
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 |
We had a to sign a contract that we would only speak french during out time there. |
| 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? | 300 level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Listening to podcasts helps! |
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? | A part of me wished I knew my host family before I met them,. |
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. |
