IES Abroad Paris

I spent four months in Paris, France during the Spring 2019 semester. I am a nursing major at Hope College and I went to Paris to finish up my French minor. I decided to choose this particular IES Paris program because I really desired to grow in my overall French language skills, even though French may not have any direct involvement in my future career as a nurse. That being said, my decision to take classes entirely taught in French and to live in a home stay with a woman who only spoke French was hands-down THE best decision of my life. I grew immensely in my language skills, and I got to immerse myself in Parisian culture while also traveling around Europe on weekend excursions with the new friends I made there and together with my entire program. I grew in self-assurance and maturity as I navigated my life abroad very much independently, and I got to experience cultures drastically different from my own - which I believe is one of the most important things anyone could ever do. When I ask people now if they have plans to study abroad, and their response is "Well, I don't really have any reason to with my major," it is difficult for me not to laugh because I know what a huge impact studying abroad had on me and my entire perspective on life. Everyone should study abroad. I made some of the best friends of my entire life, and I grew into a mature adult with the confidence to travel and take huge leaps out of my comfort zone. I now better understand the importance of taking the time to appreciate and learn from other cultures, and I can understand a whole new language!! I was lucky enough to be able to take a ballet class taught in French, and I received French credit towards my minor! This was something I would have never expected, but my program directors were so passionate about making my experiences as personal as possible.

I spent a semester in Paris with IES Abroad. Through this program I was able to take classes on the colonization of francophone Africa, feminism movements in France, and a sociology course, along with my grammar course. These classes were instrumental in broadening my worldview and how I view social movements and the perspectives of other cultures. I was able to gain a better understanding of how history can shape right and wrong and influence political discourse, not only for France but the ways in which the same has been done here in the United States in a way that is unique to America.
Also, thanks to this program I was able to complete an internship. This experience was invaluable, not only in helping me gain an understanding of French culture on another level, but in improving my language skills, and giving me experience that will be invaluable as I continue to move forward in my professional life. My internship was with an organization called Afrika Tiss, which is a fair trade organization that works specifically with female artisans and Malian refugees in Burkina Faso. In Ouagadougou the artisans there make jewelry, bags, and home accessories that are later sold in France as well as other countries. The production works on a small scale, but everything is made by hand in a way that preserves ancestral patterns and skills while also adding a modern touch. I met some incredible people through this internship and I learned a lot about humanitarian work and what that looks like from the inside.
IES from the beginning was very clear and helpful in terms of telling me what I would need while I was there and everything I would need to do before. The staff onsite was incredibly helpful in determining what courses would be best for me and for helping me find my internship. They had multiple excursions that helped me meet other students in the program and they also had so many meetings that helped me get acclimated to French culture and prepared me for the types of things that I might experience in my first few weeks in Paris. From the beginning the staff was readily available to help me and provide me with advice to help guide me through the early and often times difficult stages of my transition into Parisian culture. Even better, the entire staff was open to the suggestions of students so that they could continue to better the program for future classes of students. Overall the program was instrumental in helping me discover myself and broaden my education not only in an academic setting but also from an intercultural perspective.

The time I spent in Paris this fall has been one of the most enriching, rewarding, and influential experiences in my life. This is an excellent program for those who are looking to significantly improve their French language skills. By the end of the semester I felt so much more confident in my abilities to read, write, and speak the language. I chose to stay with a host family and I am so happy I did- they made me feel welcomed and comfortable in an unfamiliar environment and introduced me to aspects of French culture that I wouldn’t have been able to experience otherwise. One of my favorite things about Paris is that there is always something to do and the city is so rich in history and culture. I was able to travel outside of Paris a number of weekends and explore different cities around Europe, each introducing me to something new and broadening my perspectives. Studying abroad has brought me a greater awareness of what opportunities the world has to offer. I have nothing but good things to say about this program. Merci, IES Abroad!

I loved my experience with IES Abroad French Studies. I was placed with a homestay family, which allowed me to both practice French on a daily basis, but also to gain interesting points of view on current events and popular culture. My IES Aborad classes were excellent, and all taught by French university professors who both understood how to teach classes to American students and to students for whom French was their second language. I was also able to take classes at an outside university, and truly gain an understanding of the French university system, invaluable because I plan to return to France for further education after graduating college. I also met wonderful people during my time abroad, both students in my IES Abroad program, and French teenagers in my classes at the university. IES Abroad both encouraged and facilitated our immersion in French culture, and allowed students to really personalize the program to meet their specific goals.

The IES BIA Program gave me the opportunity to learn more about the political, economic, social, and cultural institutions in France through their planned excursions, weekend recommendations, and ticket giveaways for the Opera, Ballet, rugby games, and cooking classes. My French not only significantly improved through these immersive experiences, but also because of my host family, which was perhaps the best part of my experience. My host mom was kind and supportive, always helping me improve my French and introducing me to the different facets of French culture and cuisine.

The classes were engaging and the small size allows you to interact with both the professors, which come from prestigious universities around France, as well as the students. Coming from a university with larger class sizes, this was something I appreciated. The classes also offered excursions; I went to the cinema with my French class to watch a movie and went to the World Trade Organization Headquarters in Geneva with my Market Trends and Economics class. I learned a lot about the policies that France and the European Union implement; a lot of the material presented in my classes as well as the presentations I completed impressed employers when doing internship interviews.

My study abroad experience only grew my identity as a global citizen and shaped my ability to communicate across different cultures, which in an increasingly connected world is important. My decision to immerse myself as much as possible refined my French and by the end of the five months, I was confident and it was easy to carry on discussions in French.

I highly recommend this program to others who are interested in learning about the facets of French culture and are studying business or international affairs because the knowledge you acquire is invaluable and will aid you in the future. I also recommend doing a homestay - it was probably one of the best decisions I made while abroad.

Studying abroad in Paris over the summer of 2018 with IES was hands-down the best experience of my life. Before Paris, I had never been out of the country. Studying abroad in France taught me how to problem solve by navigating my first foreign country on my own. I learned more than I ever would in a general classroom, and was encouraged by the staff and professors to go out and experience the city. Upon first arriving, I knew very little French. By the end of the summer term, I was confident in my French language skills and even held small conversations with locals. The professors IES has teach the classes are extremely knowledgeable and have many years of experience in their respective fields. I feel I have an advantage over other students in my home school’s business program because I was able to experience first hand how international marketing works. Also, both the professors and IES staff truly cared to get to know each of us individually. At the end of the program, I felt I had made lifelong connections with both my classmates and the staff. IES arranged great field trips to Versailles, the Champagne Region, and more! Overall, IES Paris is an amazing study abroad program that changed my view on both myself and the world. Because of studying abroad, I found my sense of adventure and can't wait to travel the world! I would recommend studying with IES to anyone and everyone!

The Beginning Language and Marketing program truly changed my life in the best way! I was very worried about going abroad for the summer, but I learned so much about myself and can't wait to go back out into the world! The IES staff are very helpful from the moment you get in the program. Before you even depart, they send very detailed information to both your parents/guardians and yourself. Once you arrive, the center staff are so helpful and always willing to take you somewhere if you're uncomfortable going by yourself! I had trouble finding a phone that worked for me, but a staff member took me to a phone store, translated the whole conversation, and made sure I found something that would last me the six weeks of the program. There are three classes offered, two marketing courses and one French language course. I chose to take both marketing courses, because I felt that my language proficiency was high enough, but any of the classes are worthwhile! I learned SO much both inside and outside the classroom. Staff take you on mostly optional excursions, but I recommend them all. You get to experiences so many things that you may not have, like having tea at the Grande Mosquée de Paris. Paris is also very easy to get around once you learn the transportation system! The art, culture, food, music, and fashion is truly unlike anywhere else! If you're able to study abroad, I highly recommend Paris and IES Abroad!

Every single day, something will happen that reminds me of an experience I have had abroad or makes me thankful of a strength I gained while abroad. I'll never forget the nerves I had rolling up to the home of a family I had never met and knew nothing about and a severe case of jet lag. The second I got into my room and discovered my 12th story view of the Eiffel Tower, all my worries faded away. Every single night I got to fall asleep with the Eiffel Tower shimmering into my room after an amazing meal with a family that felt like my own in no time.

It was so easy to fall into a routine while abroad. Going to classes in the day, recapping classes with my host family in the evening over dinner, and going out to explore free museums and sites with new friends from my program. I've never been in a position where I could so easily translate what I was learning in the classroom to real life.

I loved everything about my study abroad. The people I was with, the comfort I felt in the city, and the learning I accomplished.