Paris or Bust! Past Review

By (International/Global Studies., University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 05/03/2014 with

IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My semester in Paris would not have been nearly half as great as it was if I had not studied with IES Abroad. As my time in France came to a finish in May 2014, and as my departure crept closer and closer, I truly realized how lucky I was that I had picked an IES program. There was not a single component of IES’s structure that I disliked or with which I found fault. The Paris Business and International Affairs program has the most incredible and professional administrative staff, and every interaction that I had with one of the staff members left me feeling happy and supported. When I had issues with my homestay and reached out for help, the director and her employees came rushing to my side, constantly making sure that I knew that I was not alone and that they were there for me in any way that I might need. I also fell in love with the courses that IES’s Paris BIA program offered. I was able to take classes, like “France, the Middle East, and Islam,” that both applied towards my Global Studies major and were extremely relevant within contemporary Parisian and French cultures. Each of my five classes helped me to better understand the society that was around me, and they were led by intelligent and amazingly well-rounded professors, some of whom have solidified themselves as my favorite professors throughout my whole college experience. IES Abroad also designs and offers diverse cultural excursions, which, while studying in a big city like Paris, can really help a student to get to know small towns and lesser known cultural practices. For instance, in Spring 2014, the Paris BIA program offered a trip to the Normandy region, where we were able to go to a powerful D-Day museum in Caen and to the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. The excursion involved such intricate planning that it would have been a nightmare for an individual student to arrange, therefore, we were so lucky that IES offered such an option. Overall, IES Abroad’s Paris Business and International Affairs program has everything that a student could ask for: the staff is phenomenal, the courses are so interesting, and there are tons of ways that the program can help you get to know your country of choice even more! You will not regret choosing an IES program, particularly if you go to Paris! IES Abroad or bust!

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs Photo

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

The staff of this program is phenomenal. The director and her staff are so supportive and make you feel as if you are not 3,000 miles away from home.

* 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)

Paris is expensive compared to the US. But we were all able to budget our funds and still managed to have an amazing semester. Plus, many museums are free the first Sunday of every month!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 euros per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try and budget how much you spend on the everyday items. If you write out what you are spending your money on, you will be less likely to spend your euros on a bunch of random things that you don't actually want. Don't be afraid to spend money, though. You (more than likely) only study abroad once!

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 5 semesters of collegiate French
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? Push yourself to interact with your host family and the people out in the streets and stores. It will be nerve-wracking at first, but it is the only way to get better!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Administrative staff
  • Courses
  • Professors
* What could be improved?
  • Bigger academic space
  • More computers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I was under the impression that some of the regular courses taught in French before going to Paris. Just know that all of the courses, except for French language ones, are taught in English!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

France, the Middle East, and Islam

Course Department:
Instructor: Mariam Habibi
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It is an absolutely amazing course. Dr. Habibi is so intelligent, and she is an incredible professor. I learned so much about the French culture in her course. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone joining this program.
Credit Transfer Issues: