Institut Catholique de Paris

Have as much fun as possible.

It did surprise me how expensive school supplies, food, clothing was. I would take out larger sums of money from the ATM to avoid service charges from my home bank and then store the money I didn't need to carry around in a safe place in my host family's home.

It was a fantastic experience. Anyone who intends on majoring or minoring in a language should take the opportunity to live in a country that uses that language as its native tongue. There were many occasions where my communication skills were hindered and I found getting my point across was difficult but, it taught me to express myself in other ways, which is invaluable. It also forces you to really think about what you're saying and what views you have on the world as well as who you are as a person. Expect to grow.

If the program had been geared more towards integrating foreign students with native Parisians, then I think that we would have better opportunities to achieve a fluency in French. It is difficult communicating with those who are struggling and grappling with the language as well. The reason I still feel comfortable with the language is through friends whom I practice with (not met through the program.)