Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Academic Year 2014/2015 Past Review

By (Fordham University) - abroad from 08/28/2014 to 05/14/2015 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 improved my french language skills and also cultural sensitivity. Not only living in Paris but attending cultural events exposed me to other ways of thinking and the French culture in ways I hadn't before.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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?

Studio

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The more French you speak the more local friends you will have, some students struggled to make french friends because of this.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was pretty sick for my first semester and getting healthcare was easy. The clinics are accessible (and super cheap), Claire helped with arranging appointments with specialists as well.

* Safety:

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

I had a great time with APA and their support system. Being enrolled directly into French universities gave me a lot of independence and made transferring credits back even easier.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 3001
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Classes
  • Claire, Blandine, Sophie
  • Cultural events
* What could be improved?
  • Larger classroom space
  • More advanced speaking students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I had a good idea beforehand about what I was about to embark on, I wish I knew how much lighter the course load was going to be though.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'