Amazing Semester Past Review
By Monica Q (Babson College) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/19/2015 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
As cliche as it sounds this program helped me find myself again. It was 200% worthwhile and I would do it again if I could.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff was amazing! They were friendly, helpful and legitimately interested in getting to know us. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since it is all American students you're not forced to be in touch with the local culture, but you definitely can if you want to and IES provides options for that. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I was there for the November 2015 attacks and the program's response was amazing. They accounted for everyone, they kept us in the loop, when in doubt the cancelled classes to avoid exposing anyone to risk. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
To me the staff made the difference. They were truly amazing. |
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. You can live on a budget but if you wanna make the best of your time, go out with your friends, enjoy the food, it can be expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid the touristy areas, look for promotions, try to cook at home |
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? | International Baccalaureate HL French B2 |
| 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? | Ask the staff/professors to use the language with you |
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? |
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? | That I would have to make an effort to use French at the center. I wish I had asked the staff to speak in French since the beginning. |
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.' |
