Exciting, Intimidating and Wonderful Past Review
By Cecilia A (Study Abroad, Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio De Janiero) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 12/19/2015 with
Paris College of Art: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely the year in which I learned the most and grew the most. 1 year is a long time, but I left Paris with friendly bonds I will take for life, much more self-confidence, a fluent french, and many, many artworks! I managed to learn a lot about all the printmaking processes, practice them and perfect them. I discovered where I fit in better between Fine Arts and Design, and even Illustration. I was always very lose about where I stood, because I do Graphic Design in university, but my passion was really always drawing and painting. And during my time at PCA, teachers helped me value what I do best,and I felt I figured out where I belong in between Design and Arts. I feel I am different student and professional coming back from Paris, and I am anxious to see how this will reflect in my career in Brazil.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I prepared my own food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
A bit confusing to have quick help in a case of emergency at a place where my insurance covered costs. |
| * Safety: |
The attentats made me very unsafe during my stay, but coming from Rio de Janeiro, it was a different kind of fear. After two weeks I felt safer then I feel in my hometown, there was just a general fear everything might happen again. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
If I hadn't done it, I would definitely do it! I loved my experience and my year abroad! But I always like to change and experience different environments so I can grow even more. |
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. Very. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 euros maximum. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Student discounts everywhere. Always lookout for promotions. Make fidelity cards! They always give discounts. |
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 |
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| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | English |
| 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? | Always practice, whether at home, in the streets, with students, wherever, practice will make you comprehend sounds better and phrase construction. Vocabulary builds along the way by itself. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? |
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? | More details about each class, so maybe I would have taken different classes for the first semester and have enjoyed it so well as the second. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
