Study at the Cours de Civilisation Francaise de la Sorbonne

I had always loved French, studied it throughout school, but I had never left the country - until I signed up with API.

Before I departed, they sent me a DETAILED information packet with travel info and advice, and specific instructions on how to navigate Charles de Gaulle Airport once I landed - which was indescribably helpful. Once I landed, I followed their directions straight to the gate where the API representative was waiting with a great big sign. She greeted all of us as we arrived and began answering questions from the first moment. We were off on the right foot.

API gave me the option of arranging me an apartment, living in their student dorms, or arranging me a homestay - I chose the latter. They placed me with a kind older woman who had lots of experience hosting foreign students - she had done it many times, and it showed. The apartment was clean, inviting, and she was a wonderful host, truly more like a mother-away-from-home. The neighborhood was perhaps not the BEST, but she and API gave me plenty of advice on how to stay safe, and I had no problems.

My courses at the Sorbonne were challenging, but rewarding, and my French absolutely skyrocketed. I went from a mumbling, unsure kid to a regular local. I was amazed at myself. My professors were no-nonsense, but nurturing, helpful, and good at their jobs.

API itself hosted sessions at their HQ in the heart of Paris, and it became a sort of central meeting-and-hangout place for us students. API led classes on Parisian etiquette, how to navigate the public transport, places to avoid, things to see, and cultural examinations of things we had noticed. They really went the extra mile to make sure we were not just students - that we felt like we LIVED there. It was the truest definition of immersion. I'm so grateful for it, even more than my classes themselves.

The API staff were the best I have ever encountered in Int'l Education. The administrative staff solved any problem we came to them with, cheerfully and quickly. The guides that led the excursions were fun-loving and energetic, but professional and focused as well. You could tell that THEY were thrilled to show us these things.

I cannot say enough about this API program. It is a huge investment of trust in a company to give them thousands of dollars, hop on a plane to the other side of the world, and hope that the company is everything it claims to be. API really is everything they claim to be. From the moment I got off the plane, to the moment months later when I got back on it, they took care of me every step of the way, and made sure that I had all the tools I needed to get everything out of the experience that I could.

Thanks to API, I now love to travel. I'm now not scared to explore the unknown. I've since been to other, faraway places, far more intimidating than Paris, France. But I never would have been able to, had API not absolutely knocked it out of the park on my first study abroad.

They are professionals, and they will show you the best sides of the world.

I spent four months in Paris at Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne with API, and I wholly enjoyed myself the entire time. I lived in an apartment in the 10th arrondissement with three other girls, all strangers. We got along sometimes, and didn't some other times, but that's expected. The location of the apartment was both advantageous and inconvenient for different reasons: it was helpful in that it was located squarely between two of the largest, busiest metro stations in the city that could take us almost anywhere. It was a little far from our classes, however. We had a 30 minute commute by metro, but this was manageable compared to some of the homestays that were located outside of Paris proper. We were also located in a neighborhood that I would not recommend to many female students as I occasionally felt unsafe.

Otherwise, the API staff were friendly and effective in solving most problems. The office was small but located in the very heart of the city, and featured computers for student use. This was helpful (and unfortunately necessary) for times when we could not use the public hotspots we relied on in our apartment.
The actual schoolwork was exactly at my level because the Sorbonne was effective in testing then assigning me an appropriate course level. Homework was always very light; I hardly had to spend more than an hour a day on it. Despite stereotypes, my teachers were all friendly and obliging.

The lack of outside school work provided ample opportunity to explore a very busy and fascinating city. Within the first week, API had toured many famous landmarks with us, so that left me to explore the sites more popular with the locals. I frequented every museum I could possibly get into, and enjoyed many of Paris' well-kept parks like native students. A note to students considering studying here: with a student long-stay visa, a student under 25 years of age can get into most museums for free, and many landmarks for a discounted price. This significantly cut down on my living expenses and provided entertainment after school every day.

Overall, this was an incredible experience considerably facilitated by a helpful program that I would recommend to anyone.

Studying abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris through API was quite honestly one of the best choices I've ever made in my life. It was fulfilling on both an intellectual and personal level, and I would absolutely go again. The staff were always available and extremely supportive, the courses transformed my ability to speak French, and the excursions and food were wonderful. I lived with a host family, which I would encourage everyone to do because it allows you to have much more insight into French culture, as well as to really challenge yourself to improve your language skills. I felt very safe and integrated into the local community, and I loved the sense of independence and constant curiosity that I felt when I was there. Everyday was a learning experience, and dull moments never existed. There were endless places to explore, things to do, and experiences to be had. I'd recommend this program to anyone looking to enhance their sense of independence and learn more about the French language and culture.

Paris is one of the most rewarding and intriguing places to study abroad,and taking that journey with API was a choice I'll never regret. Throughout the journey that is adapting to a new culture the API Paris staff on-site was always there to make sure everything was taken care of. My housing was wonderfully centered in the 10e arrondissment and within reach of several historic chapels and train stations. The best part about choosing this program was being able to have such a great experience because I had to deal with less stress about all the little intricacies involved with going to a foreign university. API includes housing with many great options for this program with a great variety to choose from.

As far as academics go, la Sorbonne, is a great choice for those seeking to have a total French immersion setting that still focuses on grammar and is oriented for those learning French as a second or other language. The classes are small and are only with other international students. It was great; I made a lot of new friends and acquaintances with people I may have never gotten the chance to meet otherwise. I would definitely say that the classes taught at the Sorbonne were on target.

Overall, studying abroad was a great experience with a rewarding outcome, and I would recommend this program to anyone seeking a fun, educational alternative to foreign language education.

It is important to know the living arrangements that are best for you. If you need people around you, you don't want to live in an apartment alone. I was in an apartment and very lonely. I would have braved the public showers to live in the dorm if I had known how lonely it could be.

The only thing I didn't like in my program was that we were separated from the French students. API has different versions in Paris, so you want to verify ahead of time which program will be best for you. At my level, I wanted to be integrated in with other native french students, but it was mostly other foreigners who were advancing in their language skills. I also would have liked some conversation classes. I know that some programs did offer that, but I didn't find out until too late that mine did not.

The lectures were great and the grammar courses and phonetics were challenging and extremely useful. Overall, the program was amazing. The people who run the API office in Paris are fantastic and always their for you if you need them or just want to talk. The excursions were beyond words fantastic. I wish I could go back knowing now what I didn't know then.