Summer Study Abroad in Paris, France

I went into this thinking I would be attending French class maybe three days a week, without a schedule or anything. When I arrived, we had class Monday through Friday, alternating between half days and full days of all French. This really put a damper on my experience, as I felt like I didn't have much time to myself. What saved the trip were the excursions with the onsite director to several famous sites, as well as welcome and farewell dinners at fancy restaurants (le fromage et l'eau pour moi, merci). All the time spent on these excursions were the high points of my two and a half months abroad, not including my few solo trips outside of France which were also wonderful. If I could do it again, I wish I could have just done the excursions and spent the rest of the time traveling by myself (which isn't to say the education wasn't good--it was, but I didn't know ahead of time how much there would be).

I loved living in Paris for a month and studying French at the Catholic Institute of Paris through CIS Abroad. I was able to enhance my French skills and meet other study abroad students from around the world. The program director, Drasko, was extremely helpful and I really enjoyed the tours and trips around the city that he organized. One of my favorite excursions was definitely going to Musee D'Orsay and seeing all the mesmerizing art. I had a Eurail pass and spent the weekends visiting other cities and countries. There was so much to explore and it was all so accessible from Paris!

My time in Paris, France was amazing to say the least. Paris has always been my dream to go and visit but I had the opportunity to not only live there but go to school as well. I went into the program knowing little to no French and it was a great risk I was taking. However, it was the most rewarding experience I have ever had. I not only got to further my French speaking skills it showed that I can overcome difficult situations in positive ways. Going abroad gives one valuable skills that you will have for the rest of your life. I loved my time in France! I enjoyed it so much that it inspired me to go abroad again with CISabroad! Traveling and indulging in new cultures led me to find my passion in life and try to pursue a career in it. I recommend everyone and anyone to study away at least once in their life.