It was magical! Past Review

By (Educational Leadership, Marygrove College) - abroad from 03/01/2013 to 03/09/2013 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Paris, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an appreciation for other countries, also the history of Paris.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Our tour guides were awesome! Very friendly and informative about the area~

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The hotel was nice. I wish that the beds were a little bigger, but the breakfast buffet was the best.

* Food:

I loved the food...pretty tasted without all of the heavy salts & sugars!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was obviously a language barrier from time to time, but people were nice about it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt pretty comfortable with addressing health concerns. There were pharmacies on every block. We were given insurance information prior to departure from the U.S.

* Safety:

Safety was always a concern while in Paris. We were constantly warned about pickpockets. I would suggest that future students follow safety procedures and stay observant of your surroundings.

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)

I did well with spending. Just tried to cut costs when I could.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $500-$800
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to purchase souvenirs from the outside vendors and not inside of museums and other landmarks. A lot of restaurants offer combos...an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. That saves money.

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

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 4 years of French in high school
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? Get a list of common phrases/greetings and practice those.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • food
  • sights
  • hotel
* What could be improved?
  • faculty leadership
  • timeliness
  • communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I didn't really need to worry about having enough money before I went. I had more than enough and I brought money back home.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.