EVERYONE should study abroad. Past Review
By Lauren Hyink (Hope College) - abroad from 01/14/2019 to 05/05/2019 with
IES Abroad: Paris - French Studies
My experience was absolutely worthwhile. I learned the importance of embracing other people's cultures and stepping outside my comfort zone. I grew tremendously in a second language and got to immerse myself into a culture that I was not born into.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My classes were taught in French, so they were challening but the professors truly cared about their students' success and made class warm and enjoyable. I did not feel pushed to the extreme, which was what I was looking for, although I learned SO MUCH. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Orientation was a full week before classes started, which was the perfect amount of time to adjust. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Most of the students in my program stayed in home-stays with either a family or a widowed woman. I stayed with a lovely French woman who helped me practice my speaking and cooked wonderful meals for me multiple times a week. She gave me my space but also was so willing to help when I asked for advice. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish that I had joined some sort of volunteer activity in the community. This would have given me even more of a chance to grow in my French speaking skills and to immerse myself in my community. I was given plenty of opportunities to integrate with the culture, and I am happy with the amount of time that I spent doing so. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There were no prevalent health issues in France and I did not need any specific vaccines. |
| * Safety: |
The staff provided me with good ways to stay safe and I never really felt in danger because I took the necessary precautions ie don't go on the metro too late at night, stick with people when possible at night, always have a charged phone, etc. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES Paris French studies was a great fit for me. I felt supported all the way through and made amazing friends. My program planned amazing excursions to do as a group outside of Paris as well as inside. |
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) |
Paris is expensive. I spent more money that I had anticipated, but I was able to apply for scholarships that really helped me out before I left! Definitely would recommend doing this!! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200/week on food, travel, activities, etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take night buses when possible to travel on the weekends. Eat with your host family when they invite you to, and especially on scheduled dinner days. Don't spend money on bulky items like shoes. |
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 |
My program was constantly encouraging me to speak French, and I grew a lot. I could have pushed myself more, especially when speaking with my new friends. Don't take your ability to learn a language surrounded by native speakers forgranted! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | French 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? | Speak the foreign language with your friends, even when you just want to speak English. Listen to podcasts, music, etc. Read books for pleasure in the second language. Talk with your host families! |
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? | How much I would miss being surrounded by French speakers. The relaxing lifestyle of Parisians on the weekend, when they all go to the park with their families. Traveling on the weekends in Europe is not as cheap as everyone in the US believes it to be. I should have spoken more French with my friends while I was there. I wish I had made a point of making friends who live in France. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
