MICEFA Spring in Paris Past Review
By Miro C (French Language and Literature., The University of Texas at Austin) for
MICEFA: Paris - Study Abroad at University of Paris - Sorbonne
I loved it, I learned the most from people not school. I am more culturally aware, especially about language misunderstandings which then lead to cultural misunderstandings. I am more tolerant. New academic interests and future plans include teaching and researching the ways humans learn languages. Wish I had spoken less English, but not sure it would have been possible -- we are so surrounded everywhere we go.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Paris IV La Sorbonne |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
As stated earlier, not a fan of teaching methods and educational system (I also spent 6 months at a university in Rennes, France). The workload was a joke -- there was no work until you were stressed to the max for your one exam at the end of the class. I was disappointed with the academic system in France but got over it when I realized I was doing most of my learning and improvement of language skills by interacting with the French themselves rather than listening to lectures. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
MICEFA is a small office and a little disorganized and hectic, but in my particular experience I found the staff very nice and helpful. At the same time, they do not provide a lot of support, which was fine with me, it is like the ERASMUS of America, kind of hands off. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
MICEFA does not find you housing, they only help a little. With the help of a former host family, I found a woman who was renting a room in her apartment. The location was good and the apartment was very clean but she turned out to be depressed and passive aggressive, creating a very unpleasant living situation. I had to move, and it is VERY difficult to find affordable housing in Paris with basic amenities such as a kitchen and bathroom (a lot of options either involve living far away or living in 9 square meters with one hot plate and a sink, bathroom in the hallway). I ended up living with my boss from my internship in one of her spare bedrooms that had two bunk beds and I shared the room with models passing in and out of the city for work. It was fine but I didn't really have a space of my own or a desk. I know many people ran into the same problems as I did. |
| * Food: |
vegetarians will be fine. hard for vegans. watch out for the bread and pastries, and know that it is expensive to join a gym. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
a special UT dinner arranged by alumni living in Paris. met lots of kids who wanted to come to UT, one of whom is staying in my apartment right now! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's a big city so of course you feel a little nervous at times being a girl and going places at night. Just be careful. Lots of dirt. Buy hand sanitizer and bring it with you from the US. it's expensive in France |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | not that I can think of. I knew it would be an expensive year. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | upper division electives |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
French friends whom I met through MICEFA events that had done the exchange or were going to do the exchange, especially students who were interested in going to UT for this coming year. It is very hard to make French friends, especially in school, so try to meet people other ways through organizations or events where you might meet people with similar interests. Even if you meet French people at an 'English Night' at the local pub, you will eventually speak French with them as well and meet their friends, etc. It is hard in Paris because SO many people speak or think they speak English, and so many people want to practice. Just keep answering in French. |
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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* Who did you take classes 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? | someone already confident in French skills and very independent |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Louis XIV |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Ramirez? |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | It was challenging, I was actually asked to write two long papers on two different topics. The teacher was very helpful and kind. I participated in class much less than at home, but there is not much room for participation in France. I really thought the professor was a good teacher (the discussion section, NOT the lecture), but most of class time was spent on student presentations which ranged from pretty good to awful. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | do not think I will get credit for course |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Version (translation from English to French) |
| Course Department: | English |
| Instructor: | Olive |
| Instruction Language: | French/English |
| Comments: | It is a challenging field, and a challenging class because we were graded as if we had the same knowledge of French as a French person. If my syntax or vocabulary choice was off, it was just wrong, no points for showing that I obviously understood the concept and did my best to describe it in a way I knew how. Teacher was stodgy and not open to much suggestion. I participated a good amount. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | not sure yet |
