Life Changing Past Review
By A student (Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 08/31/2016 to 12/16/2016 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I learned a lot about French culture, and I gained an incredible amount of independence and inspiration. It was definitely worthwhile.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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? |
No
If I did it all over again, I would probably chose a different program that had less of a focus on English, in order to have a more immersed experience. |
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) |
I was able to live on a budget of less than $100 a week in Paris, however I never went shopping unless it was for food. Paris is an expensive city, so that should be kept in mind when deciding where to study abroad! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | My main tip would be not to buy every thing that you see the first week of your abroad experience. You have 4 months to go shopping, don't blow all of your money at the beginning! |
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? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| 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 be afraid to practice speaking with locals! They appreciate the effort of you trying to learn the language, and will always help you! Also, almost everyone speaks English, so be exciting and get our of your comfort zone. |
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? | 0 |
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 that I had known how fast time really goes by when you're abroad. 4 months seems like a very long time, but before you know it you'll be packing up your room to go back to the States and you'll wish you had 4 more months! |
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. |
