Study Abroad at Institut Catholique Past Review
By Emily1123 (Biology, General., Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Paris
I gained a lot of confidence in my French language skills, independence in foreign places (I travelled solo a lot), and some maturity in dealing with situations that I was uncomfortable with. Paris is a wonderful place and I hope I can come back soon.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Institut Catholique |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
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 |
They were very organized and on top of all things. If I ever had a problem or question, they would help me out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a French-speaking older woman in a small apartment in Boulogne, just outside of Paris. Her adult son lived upstairs in the same apartment building. She was nice enough, but didn't make a big effort to welcome me or include me. <br /><br /> The neighborhood and everything was safe and fine. Long commute, but it was doable. |
| * Food: |
She was a great cook! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Good! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Paris is a safe city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Ahhh, a lot! and I'm a stingy, cheap person. You will go through more money than you think you will. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cell phone costs a lot of money. 30 euros to buy it, and then I spent about 150 euros on it for just 4.5 months, using it hardly ever. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
At the beginning, my language skills were improving exponentially every day, but after a month, I don't think I improved much. I still struggle. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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? | If you are looking for something exotic, don't go to Paris. The French are different, but not too different than Americans. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced French Language II |
| Course Department: | FR122 |
| Instructor: | Anne Besco |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Mme Besco is a wonderful, delightful person, but she's not the best teacher. She has trouble keeping her class on task, and spends way too much time on irrelevant material. However, I didn't need to take this course seriously, and therefore could enjoy it very much. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Nope, its a Tufts course. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Art History - Impressionism |
| Course Department: | FAH194 |
| Instructor: | Anne Bruneau |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Mme Bruneau is the best! Take her course. She is knowledgeable and delightful, and you get to explore Paris' museums. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Nope, Tufts course. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Sociology of Exclusion |
| Course Department: | Institut Catholique |
| Instructor: | Mme Rouay-Lambert |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Wonderful course. The professor speaks clearly and I was engaged every single class. Discusses homelessness and poverty and different sociological aspects. Wonderful class. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Didn't need to trasfer - not sure. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Asie et Occident: le destin des defunts |
| Course Department: | Institut Catholique |
| Instructor: | Fr. Thierry-Marie Courau |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Very difficult to follow and understand for a non-native French speaker and someone who hasn't taken an introductory class on world religions. All the other "students" are old, retired people. I wouldn't suggest this class unless you are truely interested in the subject. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Not sure. |
