Paris... The City of Love! Past Review
By A student (University of Redlands) - abroad from 09/04/2019 to 12/19/2019 with
IES Abroad: Paris - Business & International Affairs
I gained so much independence and cultural knowledge. I learned how to handle situations that I am not used to and overcoming challenges.
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. |
It was difficult but manageable! I loved all the classes I took. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone at the center was always so helpful and gave great tips. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family in a home stay and it was so much fun! My family was the sweetest and I felt very welcomed by them. |
| * Food: |
Actually incredible, I was shocked. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated! It took some time for sure, but you get the hang of it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Paris can be scary at night and when there are protests, but take the same precautions you would and everything will be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had so much fun in Paris and wouldn't trade my experience for the world. |
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) |
It depends on how much you are traveling outside of where you are studying. I traveled a lot so it was hard to manage money at some points, but food was very inexpensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-60 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook for yourself if you can. |
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 already knew French before attending but I became close to fluent after my time abroad. |
| 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? | College level, 300 |
| 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? | Duolingo app |
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? | Don't go too crazy with the spending at the beginning! Save your money for travel. |
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. |
