Paris: A Welcome Challenge Past Review
By Hannah N (Anthropology and Human Rights, Barnard College) for
Columbia University: Paris - Reid Hall
My experience was very worthwhile. I feel as though I learned a lot about Paris and a lot about myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought that Reid Hall was a great program overall, though the work really piled on at the end and all of the students felt very overwhelmed. I thought that the courses were interesting and the administration was helpful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* 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
|
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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget, budget, budget! Paris is expensive, but it is not impossible to live on a student's budget there. Look at the funds that you have available, and calculate accordingly. |
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? | Year two. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I essentially conducted my life in French while I was in Paris. I stayed with a host family with whom I spoke only French and all of my courses and other academic/administrative interactions were also conducted in French. I spoke English with some of the American students on the program but we tried to speak in French as much as possible. |
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 |
|
