Semester at Université de Paris III Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My education experience was overall very positive because I accomplished my main goal of improving my French and my Italian. I was very pleased with the progress I made in both languages. I studied many interesting topics in my classes, although the French university, particularly the grading system, was often stressful. The workload, grading system, and teaching methods of the MICEFA courses were similar to those in the American educational system. As mentioned above, the grading system at the fac was quite different; all of my courses were graded based on two in class exams, except for one in which 10% of the grade was an 8-page research paper. Tests were never comprehensive which I feel makes the grades much more subjective; it definitely means that you must research more in-depth on each topic and be prepared to write about any aspect of the course at length. Teaching methods were much more lecture-based and the questions posed in class tended to be either too broad or too vague for students to feel that they could answer them in any coherent manner (especially in Italian, seeing as how there were very few native Italian speakers in the classes). This led to a troubling disconnect between the teachers and students. The workload was similar to at an American university although it was almost always independent, meaning no homework assignments. My professors never assigned reading although it was always necessary. There is very little guidance; the licence (undergrad, what I was doing) in France seems much more like the style of teaching and grading in an American Masters program.

On-site administration of your program

The MICEFA was very dependable and accessible. Although they were not willing to "baby" us, and they expected us to do most things on our own, they were also a great resource, particularly for academic questions and support. They have a free tutoring service. I felt that they dealt with paperwork, etc. in a timely manner. They were relatively knowledgeable about the various universities in partnership with the program. Three women in the office were Americans living in Paris and thus familiar with both systems. The office staff made an effort to become familiar with individual students despite the fact that there were about 300 of us over the course of the year.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I rented a room in the Dubaut family in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. The location was excellent. I paid 400 euros a month in rent plus an extra 50-100 euros per month to eat dinners with the family. I was the Dubauts' fourth American exchange student and I found them to be welcoming and adaptable to our cultural differences (which are not insurmountable but which definitely exist). I believe that living with these accepting French people made my experience abroad about 500% better! <br /><br /> I found this family through the MICEFA, who made an appointment for me to meet them. They came highly recommended by a previous MICEFA student, and I would highly recommend them as well. The neighborhood (Paris 4th) was excellent - between the Bastille area (the 6th street of Paris?) and the Marais, a very upscale shopping and nightlife area. The location meant that things in my area were slightly more expensive, but this was outweighed by its convenience. I could often walk home if I missed the last metro, a definitely plus to living close into the city. The area was gorgeous and interesting. I was also 15 minutes walking, or 3 metro stops, away from my university. I did not need to buy any items to settle-in. I was not exactly treated as a family member by my host family (I can't imagine this happening with any Parisian family), but after a month or so I stopped feeling like a guest. Although I would have liked to hang out with them more, especially outside the apartment, that was not the nature of my housing situation. The Dubaut's rent out the room because they like hosting Americans (although they, shockingly, didn't ever speak English to me) but also because they use that rent money. Living with a host family provided me with a sense of normalcy and tranquility that I actually hadn't experienced since moving out of my parents' house. That was a definite plus. However, remember that living with a family will probably make it harder to go out, especially on the week nights. My host family never said anything to discourage this, but since we ate dinner between 8:30 and 10PM, it would have been weird to go out after that on a night when my host-brother had school the next day. Ask yourself how important night life is to you before you live with a family; if it's going to cramp your style, try to find an international student dorm or even an apartment with other French students on colocation websites (be aware that you usually have to pay for your messages to be sent - even if the website seems to state otherwise!!!).

I do not have any dietary restrictions. I found the quality of food to be outstanding and the portions were appropriate. Future students should know about the CROUS, a network of cheap student eateries (cafeteria-style full-course-meal for under 3 euros), although I did not eat there very often. I can recommend the Café de l'Industrie in the Bastille area as well as L'Eléphant du Nil at the Saint-Paul metro stop. I have never found the quality/cost ratio in my favor in the Champs-Elysées area or near the Louvre. The rue Sainte Anne in the 2nd near Opéra has some excellent asian restaurants with a local clientele. There is lots of good stuff in the 5th and 6th, such as on the rue mouffetard, although it's sometimes hard to avoid tourist traps. The 3rd is an area I always wanted to explore more, although I ran out of time!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

In participating in the MICEFA exchange, I definitely experienced a different culture in ways that a faculty-led or affiliated program would not allow. I was made aware every day of just how different the French and American cultures are, although as time went on I was able to recognize more things that the two cultures have in common. One of my professors pointed out that a big mistake many American students make when in France is assuming that everything will be different. If there is something you miss about your Austin life, chances are you can find a rough equivalent in Paris (unless that thing is Tex-Mex). I organized several trips to the cities around Paris with strong cultural/historical offerings (Chartres, Versailles, Giverny, Chantilly, Fontainebleau) and participated in a MICEFA-organized outing to Mont St. Michel. Needless to say, there are also plenty of cultural and historical offerings in Paris itself, and reading the Paris periodicals is a great way to stay abreast of up-coming events, such as the farm that was installed on the Champs-Elysees for a weekend, the Pride parade, grape harvesting festivals, and other wacky/crazy/fun events where you might meet an interesting group of people.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no safety-related incidents. A friend was pick-pocketed on the RER C on the way out to Versailles. Avoid anyone with a "petition" (they are fake) and keep your bag strapped around you at all times (even in an uncrowded metro). A good rule is that if someone looks sketchy, they probably are, so don't feel bad about avoiding people. Europe is generally safer than the United States, and Paris was not an exception. It is difficult to own a gun (and illegal to own a hand-gun, I believe) in France, and the police presence, particularly in the sketchiest parts of Paris, is noticeable. Avoid the RER B at night. I would also avoid many parts of the 10th, 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements at night. Anything other than that is going to feel pretty safe no matter the hour - just remain alert and don't plan on wandering around an unfamiliar area at night. Health-wise, I visited an osteopath 4 times during my stay in France for jaw problems (TMJ disorder) as well as general "body alignment" - it was expensive (70 euros at one place, 120 at another) and not covered by the French health-care system (which, by the way, you would need to enroll in through your university in Paris. There's a fee - I believe it's 200 euros. MICEFA can help you decided if it's worth it; it wasn't for me). I also visited a physical therapist which is more affordable (35 euros for 30 minutes, I believe). This was a continuation of treatment I had already been receiving in the United States. Definitely talk to your doctor here and people at the MICEFA if you know you will need to see a doctor regularly in France. I found one osteopath when I saw the sign for her practice on a street near my apartment; no number was listed but I found one online (which was lucky). You will need to call for information or appointments. Doctors do not tend to have secretaries. I liked all three doctors that I saw and did not have problems communicating with them in French; all three had other international patients and were understanding about any language difficulties. However, the MICEFA does have a list of English-speaking doctors in Paris (who will probably tend to be more expensive). There is an American hospital just outside Paris...all this to say that regardless of your situation, there will be resources accessible. The US insurance that you buy should cover any emergencies. I did not need any vaccines specifically for this program. Don't cancel your American health insurance; getting it back once you return may be difficult if you've developed an illness :(

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I practiced French every day with the family with whom I lived (not a host family in every sense of the term, although we did become close), many international friends, and a few French friends. I used the host country language in every day interactions, especially at the university, where I had no English-speaking professors. I also learned a lot through situations such as doctor's appointments, buying a phone, etc. Although I was often "englished", particularly at the beginning, I insisted on speaking French with anyone who was not a native English speaker. Students should not be intimidated by rude waiters (and the like) and should continue speaking French in these situations as it is the only way to become more confident for the next time. By the end of my stay I was very rarely "englished", although anyone could tell I was foreign, if not because of my accent, then because of my looks (Nordic - very blonde and very pale). An exchange program in France is really for people who want to practice their French and who have taken at least a couple semesters of it (I had taken 3 before going). That being said, many people were at least somewhat proficient in English, which would be comforting to many students, although it annoyed me!

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• Local Students