Paris Really is a Moveable Feast Past Review
By A student (Marketing., Providence College) - abroad from 01/30/2013 to 05/04/2013 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I am very happy with my cultural experience. I got to travel, meet up with my friends from other countries, and ate awesome food. I learned a ton about french history, culture and language, and that was definitely a strength of the program. I had a hard time meeting other kids in the program that were not in my classes, so I wish they did a better job with that. I think it was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved everything about my homestay except for the fact that it was a 40 minute commute into central Paris, and not very close to other students' housing. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a family was the best way for me to experience the local culture, and made it easier and faster to pick up the language. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any experience here. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Paris, except for the occasional late night metro ride I had to take alone. |
| 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) |
Paris was very expensive, but I learned to live more frugally and not spend money on clothes, drinks, etc....travelling to other countries allowed me to spend more actually because everywhere else is so cheap in comparison, |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably around 150 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | sometimes eating out is actually cheaper than buying everything at a grocery store and making it yourself, but look around for the best prices. |
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 |
I can't speak highly enough about IES' french program. Along with living in a homestay, I learned a great deal. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | 0 |
| 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? | Practice it as much as you can in the city, with salespeople, at restaurants, at bars....it'll pay off. |
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 |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How much I would improve in the language, but I wish I had had a friend from PC in the program because I had a hard time meeting other kids in the program since most all of us lived in homestays. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
