Lonely in Paris Past Review
By Molly E (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Wellesley College) for
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I am glad I studied abroad, but I wish I had picked a program that better suited my needs.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The French grading system is from 1-20, but cannot be translated directly into percentages. In some classes, Americans easily received good grades (above 14), but in other classes, like Gothic Art and Architecture at the Sorbonne, Americans struggled to receive 6's. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt like the program was poorly organized despite the fact that it was the oldest of its kind in Paris. The trips were infrequent and unoriginal. The program was too big to really bond (70+ people). |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Although it was a safe neighborhood, it was aesthetically uninteresting (modern concrete and stainless steel structure). I felt like I could have been living in any city in the world. I was treated mostly as a guest and felt uncomfortable in the house other than in my own room. |
| * Food: |
As a lactose-intolerant vegetarian, it was challenging to eat complete, balanced meals at home. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program was too large and I had a hard time making connections with other students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I did not keep track. I spent between 7 and 12 euros on lunch everyday, plus five to ten euros on cultural events, etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | credit card international fees |
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? | French 211 (5 classes at Wellesley before departure: 201, 202, 206, 228, 211) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced with my host family and in classes. Parisians were not interested, for the most part, in practicing with me. I spoke English with American students - it was incredibly difficult to do otherwise. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I'm not sure who would benefit from the program - everyone is different. |
