Parisian Life was Great Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/30/2015 to 05/14/2016 with

American University of Paris: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to meet a lot of new people from a ton of new places that I'll never forget and I got to travel a lot

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The majority of the classes I took were intro-level, which generally aren't the most rigorous courses

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very fortunate with my housing assignment, but most other people I knew had complaints about their assignment for several reasons

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

To feel integrated with the local culture, students need to make the effort themselves.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I might not do it for again for an entire year, but I would definitely go for a semester

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)

1-2.5 It can be difficult at first, but once you find the right spots and if you cook for yourself, it is possible to live off $120/week for food and personal expenses. It is important to make a budget!!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a budget and update it frequently (at least once a month) to make sure you are sticking to it

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

0 It is not at all necessary to speak French, though it does come in handy

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? FR1200
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try to make French friends

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Ability to travel
  • People I met
* What could be improved?
  • Offer more options for housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is harder to make local French friends than I thought

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.