A Semester in Paris! Past Review
By Hannah S (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 05/07/2017 with
Academic Programs Abroad (APA): Paris - Immersion for Intermediate & Advanced French Speakers
Very worthwhile! For language improvement, there is no substitute for total immersion. I also became more confident living and traveling on my own.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes at the French university were at times challenging, and it was an adjustment. The in-house classes were excellent- very interesting and great professors! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at APA were very accommodating and always tried to help students address any issues that arose with classes/medical issues/etc. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
French food is amazing, but the best French food is very expensive. |
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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: |
I felt very safe in the area where I lived and traveling around the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Through APA, I made great friends, improved my French significantly and fell in love with Paris APA provides a lot of support and the staff are always there to help. At times, we felt busy and a bit overwhelmed with program events to attend, but overall APA is a good program. |
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? | 100 euros/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Think about your budget before hand! Make a plan for how much you want to spend each week and keep track of what you spend. |
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? | 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 129 |
| 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? | Taking French classes at Brandeis will help you prepare, but once you become immersed in the language, you'll improve very quickly. |
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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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? | You will spend more money than you think. |
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. |
