Past Review

By (Cinematography and Film/Video Production., SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Oswego: Paris - EICAR Cinema and Screen Studies Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Of course it was. I went traveling to other places in Europe as well. Traveling and experiencing cultures outside one's own is an experience that can never be fabricated or learned another way. It is completely enlightening and makes you notice the things that make you what you are as according to your particular culture. It raises understanding, patience, and enjoyment of the very many different kinds of people around the world.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The same as I've stated above. Private schools are taken very seriously and the mentality were comparable to an American high school, not so much like college. Teachers were really concerned about whereabouts, schedules, absences, work. It was a smaller school and rules were really strict.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I think this question is in regards to Hugo Boris, who was a very helpful and diligent individual. He helped me out in getting a lot of paperwork done.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was located in one of the nicest parts of Paris, very close to the Notre Dam, in the 5th district. It was a beautiful, but very small apartment, which was very expensive and difficult to find/afford. Was a very long commute to school, about 1 hour each way. <br /><br /> Already did this above.

* Food:

I mostly ate at home because Paris is a very expensive city and eating out was a luxury.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Really just meeting people and having fun with them at museums, bars, parties, etc.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt extremely safe, though the school was outside of Paris in the suburbs where conditions aren't as nice and luxurious.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Rough estimate of about 75-100 euro a week (approximately 100 - 150 dollars a wee)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Rent is very high. Food is very expensive. Transportation factors in. Museums and galleries aren't always free.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

I knew very little French going into my abroad experience. I left knowing little French. Students and professors spoke English because it was an international school, but everything else was in French and very difficult to understand and get acclimated to.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be ready for a very challenging, informative, technical academic experience. Don't let it eclipse your experience of Paris as a wonderful and amazing city. Film students would benefit most from this program.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Camera and Lighting

Course Department: Unknown
Instructor: Soubrier Didiet
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Long class (8 hours long), where you would construct a set, light it and film it. Very demanding, interesting, serious class. Was undoubtedly very challenging and my favorite.
Credit Transfer Issues: Start working on managing and tracking the necessary paperwork very early in the semester.
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary World Cinema

Course Department: Unknown
Instructor: Adriano Valeria
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Basic course on cinema from around the world that was released in recent years.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Working With Actors

Course Department: Unknown
Instructor: Adriano Valeria
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Working with rehearsing scripts, working with actors, and shooting scenes that were rehearsed by actors. Very interesting, technical course.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Curiousity

Course Department: Unknown
Instructor: Virginia Field
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A course that took you out of the class, into museums, galleries, and exhibitions to stimulate your personal creative imagination and ambitions. Was very inspirational and influential on my work.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Scriptwriting

Course Department: Unknown
Instructor: Allan Ross
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Basic script writing course. Wasn't too complex or demanding. Writing a story based off middle school literary elements.
Credit Transfer Issues: