Returned Cultured and Inspired Past Review
By Jaylan E (PSYCHOLOGY., Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/03/2013 to 12/20/2013 with
American University of Paris: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I matured, learned how to handle myself independently in a place completely out of my comfort zone, and navigate and troubleshoot situations that I never faced before. I definitely feel prepared to tackle many more adventures and challenges in my future.
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. |
The professors were good and the academic programs were rigorous. However, because the university is so young, the resources are limited. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Efficient and friendly. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The University helped me to find a room to lease from a place close to campus. The host woman was friendly and helpful. |
| * Food: |
The university didn't provide any food |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
After a period of adjustment, I felt comfortable and quite integrated with my surroundings and community. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got extremely ill a few times and the university was not particularly helpful. I actually got sick during orientation and was put in a room by myself with no access to phones. When I finally got someone from the university to come to my room, they refused to give me medicine and told me they could only call a doctor for me which would cost me 120 euros in cash only. Healthcare in the city in general was extremely expensive. The second time I fell ill, I had to visit multiple doctors to receive a proper prescription for what I was dealing with ( I paid over 300 euros for my first visit and their prescription for antibiotics was ineffective), so I was forced to go to another place and pay another fee. |
| * Safety: |
It was as safe as any city- I had no issues, even late at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
It was extremely difficult for me in terms of finances, especially since I was in such an expensive city. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn to cook, have a go to way to convert currency in your head |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known how much money I would have to spend in the first month I was there and been able to budget for it appropriately. |
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. |
