Tufts-in-Paris: Trying to learn how to love living amongst the Frenchies Past Review
By Casey K (Biology and French, Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Paris
Absolutely. I definitely came out of my America-centric bubble and got to look at my home country from the perspective across the frog pond. I wouldn't take any of my experience back - it was all well worth it.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Paris III, l'Institut Catholique |
| 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 |
VERY helpful administration that did a lot to help immerse us in the country/culture |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with a host family. I just needed to buy my own toiletries and some groceries. I was treated very well, although I would have liked to have more host siblings to talk with. |
| * Food: |
Tufts gives us a generous stipend to get meals with |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
TIP provided lots of fun and informative excursions to us |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Most of the time, I felt very safe. I was attacked one night, but I was near Chatelet ( a little sketchy) and was with another girl late at night - so we should have been more careful. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40 to 50 euro. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up the stipend to be used for traveling! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Fr 31 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Practiced French with my host family and French friends - very little with fellow American students. Most people I interacted with on a day-to-day basis spoke 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?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | MAKES FRENCH FRIENDS EARLY ON!!! |
