Paris Calls Past Review
By Elizabeth B (English Language and Literature, Connecticut College) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/19/2015 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I learned how to be independent and how to adjust to a different culture. I was very homesick at first but I overcame that and became very comfortable in Paris. It was definitely worthwhile to become more independent and comfortable on my own. I grew as a person while studying abroad.
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 classes assign a decent amount of reading. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration is extremely helpful and friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
It's France...the food is amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated because I lived with a french family. |
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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? |
Yes
I loved my classes abroad and thought that the professors were very engaging. It was clear that they were experts on their topics and that they loved teaching. I also found the faculty to be extremely helpful and kind. |
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) |
Breakfast and lunch is not very expensive but dinner can be more pricey. It's also a city with a ton of shopping and well...it's tempting to spend money here. But traveling outside of Paris is what was most expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to eat breakfast in. Buy yogurts, cereal, etc. Also try to cook dinner in...it's much cheaper that way. |
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 |
I was in an intermediate class and it was taught entirely in french. Also, my professor would almost always speak french to me outside of class. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | An Advanced Intermediate course. |
| 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? | Always try to speak french at a restaurants, stores, etc. Don't be shy to speak french to the French. Practice is key. |
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 wished that someone had warned me that it is normal to be very homesick in the beginning. But, on the bright side, the homesickness goes away!! |
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.' |
