Liberal College/City Kid review of AUP Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The American University of Paris was a mix for me. Some of my professors I really enjoyed whereas others I felt were disappointing. My home school prides itself on a close student-professor relationships, and to that end, professors at *minimum* are expected to have office hours on a regular basis twice a week. At AUP I had a mixed bag, some professors really didn't seem interested in being there (which I later learned was because they weren't teaching much at the school), and some made themselves available. Overall, the school was not as rigorous as my home school.

On-site administration of your program

I don't really know what this is getting at - my program was very hands-off. Besides a few events for visiting students (meaning 2-3) over the course of the semester, you were pretty much treated like a normal AUP student. Perhaps they could have worked to integrate the study abroad students more, but I think its hard given the fact that we're only around for a semester to a year.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

At AUP you have to choose between a home-stay and comforts of paris (unless you have family in the area). I think that places students between a rock and a hard place. Home-stays are a huge tossup, especially in a city like paris where apartments can be notoriously small. I heard a couple of very negative homestay reviews. I chose Comforts of Paris and I got the single option. They definitely don't tell you much about the apartments, the staff was extremely unresponsive before the beginning of the semester, and I think that the service they are offering is very over-priced. I did have a decently sized apartment, which was shared with four other people, but Comforts of Paris seems like an institution pitted against the students. It is run completely like a business, with no transparency about the fact that they will charge you fines for any reason they can find.

The food is Paris! Paris has amazing food. AUP itself has a bar/cafe called the Amex in the student center that has pretty good food and a well priced beer for the area. Great burgers especially.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

AUP is difficult because so many American students go there it is difficult to meet a lot of French people. Also, many students who are non-French also do not speak french. It is your job as a student to go out and try to meet French people if you want to truly practice your French and engage with the culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Visiting students can opt out of the student health-care program (if you have proof of other coverage) but I would reccomend keeping it. You are 100% covered for all doctors visits, all prescriptions, many therapy sessions (up to a certain cost per session), 10 chiropractic visits, and those are just the features I remember. If you take advantage of the insurance its well worth the value, but if you are a very healthy person, its not worth it.

Paris is a city, citys are generally more dangerous than the country, that being said, Paris is a relatively safe city. Its dangers are just different than the dangers of living in certain American cities. For example, pick-pockets are much more prevalent here than in the US, and women should be cautious when interacting with men on the street/in the metro because they will react more severely than in the US.

This question is a little vague. I had great times at my program but I also lucked out with meeting some great people. I loved being in Paris and if I did it over again I would have tried to find a different study abroad program in Paris. That being said, of the options my school offered, and given just those options, I would have gone to AUP.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Paris is expensive. Also food in the school's area is relatively expensive. If you are not from an expensive city, it will seem very expensive.

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• Apartment

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• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Location
• Some People
• The Class Subjects

• Support System for Students of Color
• Support System for Visiting Students
• Some teachers

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