IES Abroad Paris

My host family (just a host mom and a cat) were the best possible pairing I ever could have imagined. We got along extremely well and she made me incredible dinners (in 4 months abroad, she only repeated 2 plates...and those were on my last two nights because I had specially requested them). I was spoiled...The IES program was also great because it had really great professors that were very accessible and wanted the american students to succeed. There was a good selection of classes as well as the option to take classes at a local french university (which I partook in). I made a lot of friends, both inside and outside of IES programs/classes. I also had the opportunity to travel a lot, which was great!

This program was the best experience ever. My host mother was fantastic although she spoke no English. She cooked dinner for us three nights a week and the rest of the time we could do as we pleased. Classes are arranged so that you have plenty of time during the day or the evening to explore Paris! Weekends are great for travel. IES hosts several excursions which are all great but also optional. Overall this was a wonderful program where I made many close friends and my French fluency improved drastically!

Everyday, I would wake up in my homestay (where my host mother did not speak a word of English and was so sweet) and meet up with friends at an attraction in Paris before class (which was Monday- Thursday 1-4 for 2 classes). I got to travel all over Paris and we had other excursions (Giverny and Reims) They offered different activities every week (optional but FUN) such as walks/tours, a boat ride, picnics, etc. We also had the weekends off to travel if we wanted (I did travel to Lyon one weekend but there was so much to see in Paris). It was a truly amazing experience for me and helped me to become fluent in French and meet amazing friends!

I chose to do IES because my school's program in France does not include a homestay or the opportunity to take classes at a French institution. My school told me I might not even get credit for the classes I took with IES but I chose to do it anyway, and I am very glad I did (I did credit actually).

If you choose (you can also live in an apartment with other Americans) you can be placed in an apartment in Paris with a family, which is the main reason I wanted to do IES. I had a lovely family in a really great location and the mom was a fantastic cook. I probably wouldn't want to stay with a family for more than a semester though- by the end I wanted to feel more independent in my home and I felt a little bit like a stranger still, but I did really love the home stay. I didn't totally click with the other IES students, but I made French friends through my host mom's son, which was really fantastic because it really helped my French (and they were great people).

I absolutely loved the IES classes I took- 18th and 19th century art history (with trips to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay) 20th century French literature, and translation (that was a bit difficult). I took two classes at the Sorbonne- I almost wish I had only taken one because the classes were very difficult to follow and had a lot of assignments. I did perfectly fine in them though so it's definitely doable. I also learned a lot in those classes and made a couple of French friends- also great.

I had a lot of time to wander around Paris by myself- you can really create your own experience with IES and feel independent, which I find very important. A lot of people traveled during the weekends - I visited a cousin in Florence one weekend but other than that I stayed in Paris.

The IES staff were always extremely supportive and nice and I really enjoyed all the programs they had in Paris - a few hangouts with French people, trips to the Opera and Ballet, and a trip to a chocolate competition thing - that was amazing. The superb quality of the staff was really one of the best parts about my experience.

The IES Paris program and its staff understand what it is like to be an American college student living in Paris. While many of the courses are rigorous, the staff and professors never lose sight of the fact that you are studying abroad. Living in Paris is full of challenges outside of the classroom, whether it's conquering the metro system or simply mastering your french at the dinner table. The academic curriculum, in my opinion, provides the perfect level of difficulty while still giving you the opportunity to deal with these other challenges. You will most definitely find yourself well prepared academically coming in, even if your french is not superb. Living in a homestay was the most rewarding aspect of this program. The families IES has selected are well acclimated to the foreign student experience, and are quite empathetic in helping you adapt to a new lifestyle. Overall, this is an extremely challenging semester abroad but the reward is far greater than you could expect coming in.

I know it may sound extremely cliche but my study abroad experience with IES Abroad BIA in Paris changed my life. It created memories for me that I will never forget and friendships which continue to shape my life to this day and I know will continue to do so. Unfortunately I cannot tell you every single detail that proves these claims to be true but I will try to touch on the most important.

I want to start with the program itself. The BIA program was still a very small program when I attended it with only about 60 or so students overall. However, this allowed for very small classes which was very beneficial in that we were all able to interact and participate a lot more than if there were a larger number of students. The professors were a part of the program only on a part time basis. I know that at least two of my professors also taught at Sciences Po in Paris which is a very well known and well respected school in the area.

The trips connected with the program were another experience in themselves. For one of my political science classes, we traveled to Geneva, Switzerland for the day with our professor to visit the United Nations and also to meet with the International Institute for Sustainable Development there. Not only this, but the program itself took us on a trip to some of the castles around Paris and also on a very heartfelt historical journey to discover the wonders of Normandy.

In this, the staff of IES BIA were amazing and so supportive in times of need. They looked after us and were always there when we needed advice on where to go to dinner or just a hug because we were having a rough day.

I want to finish up by addressing my housing situation while in Paris. It was spectacular. I lived with a wonderful family in the 16th arrondissement and they treated my like I was an additional member of their family. They helped me in learning the language and even some of the slang. They encouraged me to attend different events like the political rallies and also encouraged me to explore the city as much as possible.

Overall though, my experience in Paris with IES BIA is one that I will never regret choosing! And I wish that I could spend every semester abroad living an experience like this!

Studying abroad in Paris with IES was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Paris is an amazing, beautiful city filled with art and culture and the IES BIA program allowed me to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

As a sociology major I was still able to take interesting and relevant classes, such as art history and a course about France and Islam. This program is not only for business or international affairs majors. My favorite thing about the classes was how much we got out into the city and experienced real life examples of what we were studying. Field trips to museums, neighborhoods and restaurants contributed to valuable cultural immersion.

I also had plenty of time outside of class to do my own exploring and get the real parisian experience. The staff at IES are great at offering as much help as you need, but also encouraging each student to be independent.

The home stay was the most valuable experience in terms of my language acquisition and practice, and it was great to have three home cooked French meals a week!

IES offers its students a French experience while maintaining the academic excellence of the US. The program offers many excursions to its students to explore the city as well intercultural exchanges with other French students. Homestays and apartments are offered, although the homestays are usually better located.