268 reviews
4.09 / 5 based on 268 reviews
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Languages
Language of instruction: French
Was learning French a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your French?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I had visions of striking up conversations in Paris with friendly shop keepers. Silly me - this did NOT happen! I found the Parisians to be seriuos and somewhat closed - off. As a result my opportunities to speak the language were less than anticipated. I don't know, maybe in Provence you would find friendlier people.
Overall though I would still say I learned a TON - there is nothing like living in a language!
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Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
none
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Absolutely everything in Paris was much more expensive than in Canada. Really, at one point I had to stop converting prices in my head or else I'd starve! Money lost all it's value in Paris - it might as well have been Monopoly currency!
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Food, Telephone, Housing, Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
I was most suprised by the huge amounts I spent just on feeding myself. Really I would say that board was my number one expenditure! No way to get around that though . . .
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Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish that I knew how much the entire experience was going to cost - I had the money to spend it was just a bit of a shock - that's all.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
My recommendation to the Sorbonne is to improve the services it provides to it's international students. Those of us in the program I took paid for one semester what 12 people in the regular program pay for a year! That's why I find it ridiculous that we can't even access the Sorbonne library - it's insane!
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
GO! There are downfalls but the good definitely outweighs the bad. You'll have a fantastic time, your French will improve enormously, and you'll meet people from all over the world. And when you're sitting in a cafe overlooking the Seine have another glass of wine for me! ;o)
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Academic
Course recommendations
I studied in the Language and Civilizations program at the Sorbonne; because I did the autumn semester I didn't get much of a course choice.
I will say that the courses for the most part were very good. The civilization lectures could have been better though - particularly the Lit. one which was just horrible! BUT the Versailles one - that was magnificent - absolutely magnificent! The Prof. was incredible!!
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
The dictations you do in language class are atrocious and be warned you'll do horribly on them. Good news is they're excellent prep for the final which will seem easy by the time you're done.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Housing
Type of housing: I lived in a student foyer not too far from school
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: Foyer
Why?
I think the foyer situation was ideal. Really I lived in a magnificent area on Boulevard Saint Michel right across from the Luxembourg Gardens. In terms of bang for my buck I don't think I could have done any better!
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Personal comments
You get absolutely no help with housing from the Sorbonne. If possible try to get into a foyer if not then just go and hoof it looking for places in the city. Becareful with the areas you end up in though!
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Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Let's face it Paris is a fantastic city to be in and you're bound to discover many little hidden gems. I personally loved hanging out at La Coupole after class and having their wonderful hot chocolate.
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