Paris Was the Best Decision I've Ever Made Past Review
By Sasha S (Radio-Television-Film, The University of Texas at Austin) for
AIFS: Paris - Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne
I just loved being in Paris. The location of my hotel was great, I was informed where to go and what to do. If I went with the program leaders, events would be free. I did most of my learning on my own, though
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I felt I was not challenged enough. The exam that tested students' language levels were poorly written |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very nice and tried to have all the students participate in the cool events they planned. Very helpful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The hotel-apartment had a great location, but the services were horrible. Breakfast was over priced, as was laundry. The water was always being worked on and my internet never worked. The students living in the hotel-apartment never wanted to speak French, either. When I went to stay with my host family, they were very nice and helped me with French, but they were outside of Paris. |
| * Food: |
I love French food and my food card I was given allowed me to buy things at the grocery store, and go out occasionally |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved going to Vaux-le-Vicomte. It was more unique, less known, and has beautiful candle and fire work displays after hours. After I met some very nice international students from the Sorbonne, we went out a lot and practiced speaking French a lot. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health was talked about TOO much before I went abroad. I had to read too many orientation slides about it. I felt pretty safe in Paris. I just never walked alone at night and was constantly aware. I made sure my purse was always zipped and I had everything locked up and/or near me. Healthcare was slightly difficult because I did not know the medical terms in French, but I asked a friend to help me say what was wrong and I got medicine right away. No vaccines are necessary |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | no, it was all worth it |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | advanced (3rd year) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I would say I am practically fluent in French now, but that was due to MY efforts, not AIFS or the teachers. The classes were not very helpful, but I would make sure to speak French with every and any person I met |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do not study abroad unless you are willing to speak the language, eat the food, and actually learn something. Paris is perfect for someone who KNOWS some French, likes going out at night, isn't afraid of lots of people, and is willing to walk a LOT |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of French Fashion |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The professor was great and taught well. I liked that it was half lecture/half tour of a museum pertaining to what our discussion was about that day |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
