I met lifelong friends in Paris and was able to look fabulous while doing it :) Past Review
By Kristine M (Environmental Studies, Albright College) for
ISA Study Abroad in Paris, France
Top five best things I did in college.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was to be expected if one wanted to really learn a foreign language. My host university did a very good job at placing people at their language level and by the end of the program, each person could potentially move up a level. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I did not really use the host program's administration- so I cannot really say, but having the computer lab on campus was really nice. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a home-stay and Madame's kindness and overall housing situation guarantees a wonderful experience. She lived in the 10e and I took line 4 from Gare de L'est. I never felt unsafe- except for when I would get off at Chateau d'Eau (don't ever get off there). The nightlife was also very lively- a perfect blend of Saturday pubs and Sunday strolls. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Normandy was great. |
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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? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived in a home-stay and that right there encourage and enforced language acquisition- I used the host language everyday with my host family and the french friends I had met while attending my host university. The only time English was used was with my roommate (who was from Texas) or if English was the dominate language in the group we were in at that time. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Any student would benefit from this program. It has everything and the people in the program are so eclectic that you will find someone who you connect with. Also, the staff is there for you- even after the program is over. The summer after I studied abroad, I was backpacking through Europe by myself. I stopped in Paris for a few days to meet up with friends I had made while studying abroad, and I realized I needed to print something out. So I decided to see if the ISA staff could help me out. Not only did they remember my name but allowed me to print my papers and gave me great advice of where to travel next. The staff is really what makes this program so great. |
