ISA in Paris, France
Paris, France needs little introduction. The City of Light attracts people from all over the world for so many reasons. The culture, food, music, people...everything has appeal. ISA offers the chance to study in this renowned destination at the Catholic University of Paris, The American Business School Paris, or The Sorbonne - Cours de Civilisation Francaise de la Sorbonne. During the summer, students can also opt to study with ISA-Paris using the city as the classroom.
ISA takes care of every little detail and more so that every student can have the most unforgettable experience they can have without any hassle. With excursions to Brussels, Normandy, the Loire Valley and more, there is plenty of excitement during this trip abroad. Check out the ISA website today and see what it's all about!
Reviews
90%Overall
Rating
90%Overall
Rating
International Studies Abroad does a wonderful job with every aspect of your study abroad experience. I was very surprised with how helpful they are. Not only are the staff in your study abroad country, but the staff in the Austin headquarters are always available and eager to help.
The program does a great job with placing students in excellent homes. I absolutely adore my host mother. She only speaks French but she is works with me on the language barrier is very manageable. She is also a wonderful cook. I also get along really well with my ISA roommate. ISA really takes into consideration what your profile says.
ISA does a great job with working with the Universities in France. I go to the Catholic University in Paris and I have had no problems.The academics are enough of a challenge but I do not feel like I am drowning in work either.
Now, to the important stuff; excursions. ISA makes sure you have a good time. I have gone to Normandy, Mont Saint Michele, an apple cider house, a football(soccer) game, Versailles and the Opera! We still have a trip to the Loire Valley next week. On top of all that I am living in Paris and have ample opportunities for fun. ISA gave each of us a pass to the Louvre and I am able to get in for free any time I want.
The best part of ISA is that I have never felt alone. Everyone experiences home-sickness but I always know there will be someone to talk to. If anything happens to me I have full faith in ISA.I know that they have my best interest at heart.
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Alumni Interviews
Meet Monica Abdelmalak, ISA - France alum
Monica Abdelmalak is from Tampa, FL and is studying Biology and French at the University of Florida. She is a pre-med student but has great passion for French and francophone cultures. Her interests include traveling, volunteering, photography, fashion, film, and food.
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with ISA in Paris?
Monica: ISA Paris was an approved study abroad program at UF, and I liked the idea of studying through an independent organization rather than my university so that I could meet students from other schools. My study abroad advisors and other students highly recommended ISA. I liked that they offered a summer program in Paris that combined language and art history and offered several excursions and housing options abroad. It seemed like a flexible program that could appeal to the needs/interests of many students. The structure of the program really appealed to me because it was very integrative and well-rounded.
GO: What made this experience unique and special?
Monica: I really loved how ISA made an effort to make my study abroad experience special. I was placed with a host family that was so kind, and it was a pleasure living with them. I also liked how they planned events for us in the city and excursions outside of Paris. It allowed me to build relationships with other ISA students and see more without the extra hassle of having to plan a trip and travel alone. French courses at the Institut Catholique de Paris are great because you are in a class with students from all over the world who are there to experience Paris too. Art History with ISA was fantastic because we had class at all of the major sites and museums (never a classroom), so I felt like I was sight-seeing and learning at the same time.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Monica: I gained a deep appreciation for French culture as well as the idea of cultural exchange as a whole. My French improved greatly, and I came back with a newfound confidence for speaking it and hope to eventually do service work in French-speaking countries. Finally, I was really forced out of my comfort zone, and I opened up myself to new experiences that have taught me so much about myself and my relation to the world. I am now a part of an organization that welcomes foreign students to UF, and I enjoy sharing the study abroad experience with them because I know my experience had such an impact on me. I came away with an appreciation for life and exploration that has really helped me to make the most of everyday, and I only hope to return to France one day and experience it again!
Interview with Joscelyn McDonald, ISA Paris alum
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with ISA in Paris, France?
Joscelyn: I decided to study abroad with ISA in Paris because I had a couple of friends who had study abroad the previous year and they recommended me ISA. They told me that the staff was wonderful and compared to other programs it seemed like they had more to offer for about the same price as the other programs.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Joscelyn: This experience was unique because how many people can say they have lived in Paris for a semester? I think I really got the French college experience and I lived like any other student in France.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Joscelyn: I think personally this experience has made me more confident in myself and less dependent on others. The first couple of weeks in Paris I did not know anyone, and I was just starting to get to know the people in my program. Most of us were trying to figure out how to navigate through Paris and sometimes I would get really lost. I had to rely on myself to figure things out or ask someone for directions in French, instead of calling a friend and asking for help.
Professionally I think I am more open minded to other people's cultures and different perspectives other cultures have on our own. Also I believe speaking any other language apart from English really benefits any type of career because you can communicate with more people since not everyone in this world speaks English.
Interview with Jessica Walker, ISA Paris alum
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with ISA in Paris, France?
Jessica: I decided to study in Paris because it was the one place where I could take the business classes that I needed and a french language course. The classes were set up almost like the American system so it was easy for my credits to transfer. I will admit it wasn't my first choice, but I am definitely glad I went. I mean who wouldn't want to say that they lived in Paris.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Jessica: The study abroad experience was special because i got to live in another country for a short time. I love to travel so it gave me the opportunity to see other parts of the world. I also met new friends both American and French. It was also unique because I got to live with a host family, which I had never done. Living with them I got to experience how a french family lived and practice my french as well.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Jessica: The study abroad experience was good for me personally because I tend to be a shy person so it got me out of what I was used to or comfortable with. I went there not knowing anyone so I had to venture out if I wanted to meet people. As for professionally, I think it helped because I eventually want to work in or live in Europe. I was able to adapt myself to the culture, which is an ability I will need in the future. By doing the study abroad i came back with a new look outlook on life. It teaches you to be open to new experiences.
Further Info
About ISA
ISA distinguishes itself as a study abroad provider by its commitment to each individual student. ISA services are available to students, parents, faculty and advisers throughout the study abroad process. In addition to the ISA team in the U.S., ISA offers study abroad students constant support through resident directors available in study abroad locations globally.
Everyone at ISA is proud to be a part of offering a high quality study abroad experience to American and Canadian college students at an affordable price. We recognize that we play an important role in the worldwide effort of international educators to increase awareness of cultures and societies outside of each student's national boundaries. Our programs are designed to maximize our participants' learning abroad, and we understand that most college students need support and expert guidance before, during and after their time abroad.
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Studying in Paris with ISA was an AMAZING experience. I got to live out my dream of living in and exploring the beautiful city of Paris.
All of the information supplied by ISA before departure and upon arriving in France was so helpful and helped prevent serious culture shock and stress. The staff is so incredibly helpful about any questions/issues you may have. They plan excursions in the city and outside of Paris for you, so you get to explore a little more without any extra effort. That's also a really good and easy way to meet other people in the program.
The French course at the Catholic University was somewhat challenging and really forced me to speak up and use my French which turned out to be a really good thing as I gained more confidence to go out and speak to the natives. Workload was not bad at all though, so I never felt swamped with school work and could go out after class without stressing. I took Art History with ISA, and that was incredible. We went to many museums and sites in the city, and I learned a ton. No classroom time at all, which was great.
I met so many awesome people through the program, and my host family was fantastic. I am so grateful to ISA for giving me this great experience. If you are considering this program, go for it!
Critical Feedback:
The process for French level placement is definitely flawed, but this is not ISA. It's an issue with the Catholic University of Paris. Many people did not feel like they were placed in the right class even after a written and oral exam, and this was the case with me, but I was able to change after the first week into a class that was perfect for me.