Best Experience of my life-really Past Review

By (Economics., University of Rochester) for

IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
yes-loved it regardless

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were easy, especially compared to Rochester classes. I did not feel I had to work very hard for very good grades. That being said, I think that really allowed me to be more immersed in Paris and Parisian culture

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Food was very expensive

* 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? No

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? alot-the euro was and is stronger-prepare to spend a decent amount of money just on living expenses-food, transportation, phone bill, etc.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? pay attention to the exchange rate, atm fees and if you can switch to a bank that is free internationally

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 102
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

No interaction with french students-would have been the best way

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? alittle difficult to separate from the Americans-americans students, clubs, etc. if that is what you want it is a great program, but I wish I had one that integrated us more with the french