The city that stole my heart Past Review
By Tara P (International Business, The Catholic University of America) - abroad from 01/21/2015 to 05/13/2015 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I learned to be more confident in my french speaking ability. I learned to enjoy spending time alone. Not that I often spent time alone, but I found walking around the city by myself as a stress relieve and an enjoyable use of my time.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some of the classes, especially contemporary Paris were very interesting! The teachers tended to lecture rather than actually teach the students and many of them graded way too hard. Way too much time was spent in the classroom when I much rather wanted to be exploring the city. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved the IES BIA center staff! They were so comforting, caring and helpful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestay is definitely the best option. You get so much more immersion in the culture and language. It also forces you out of your comfort zone. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was an amazing cook! Host family dinners were a major benefit of living with a host family rather than in an apartment. It's so easy to find great food in Paris! Theres little cafés and shops ere you can pop in and grab a sandwich around every corner. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Go to events around the city and interact with the locals! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Men are going to say rude things at you while you're walking down the street every once in a while, but that is true of almost any city. Just be safe and always have a friend by your side. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Paris is an expensive city! Be prepared to drop 70 euros a month on metro fare alone. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up before your trip! Once you're there you will not want to worry about how much money is in your account. Spend money on activities that will give you memories to last a lifetime. Also by your metro pass by the month, not every week. YOu will save about 10 euros. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 302: Advanced 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? | Don't worry about making mistakes. Just give it your best shot. The French appreciate the effort. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how cold it was going to be in Paris. IT was sweater weather until the end of March! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
