Phenomenal Past Review

By (BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES., Western Washington University) - abroad from 06/30/2012 to 08/02/2012 with

ISA Study Abroad in Paris, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worthwhile. You just become more open to life's experiences and you learn a lot about yourself along the way (no matter how much you've traveled before!) I wish more people from the states would travel abroad. The rest of the world is so massive and so alive and I think a lot of times people forget what is outside their little bubble.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Institut de Catholique ISA office
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I definitely learned the most just being out in the city of Paris and by talking with my host family. My photography class was very interesting, but slow at times when lecture days happened. My french class was awesome because my professor was awesome, but I think I was placed in the wrong level of french at the very beginning and could have handled a more challenging level.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everyone who wants to know anything about the life and culture of Paris should live with a host family! I had the best experience and I know everyone on my trip did as well!

* Food:

I am having baguette withdrawals daily... But be open to trying new things because 99/100 times you're going to love whatever you eat!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was hard because summer season is definitely tourist season. But as soon as people found out you were a student and were trying to learn french, people would be kind and converse with you

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Just watch your bag on the metro and don't be dumb and walk around at night by yourself. You can always take a cab if need be, but usually that is not even necessary.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

I had saved up a lot of money because I knew I would want to buy things while in Paris. But it is totally doable to live here on a tight budget. There are a lot of good stores and restaurants for not expensive (the really expensive ones are usually in the touristy areas). There are even really fun boutiques that are cheap as well!

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Well meals were only provided 5 dinners a week from the host family- 100$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Talk to your host family and explore different parts of Paris! Not everything is as expensive as everyone likes to tell you... The touristy places will always raise their prices but there are so many other areas that are not expensive and fun to try

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Most of my language encouragement came from my host family. Without them I would not have developed in my language practically at all.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 203
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? Live with a host family definitely! And to have courage to order in French at places and to not automatically jump to the easy out of speaking English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • My host family
  • Actually living in Paris (not just touring it)
  • The food and shopping!
* What could be improved?
  • The lecture pace of the photography class
  • the placement test for french classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? No matter how open of a person you are before you travel- it is going to be an adjustment to a new way of life.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Photography

Course Department:
Instructor: Claudio Cambon
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was awesome because you got to see different parts of Paris most people as tourists would not get to see. Lecture days were the most painful because they were a bit slow paced and not super engaging... but there were not many of those. We were mostly out on the streets of Paris getting a chance to shoot the real-life happening around you. There were 2 papers that we had to do. Neither very difficult and both relevant to the class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

French Language

Course Department: French
Instructor: Institut de Catholique Professors
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I loved my teacher for my french class! The university will do a mass placement test for everyone which is kind of a hectic day (but I also heard they are changing how they place people and are going to have it more online for following years). My teacher was always prepared, I just felt like the class was a bit below my level of french. You can always make the best of it and work with your teacher so you can continue to learn at your level. Phonetic work was probably the most helpful which we got to do once a week.
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven't figured out credit transfers with an adviser yet.