Paris & French Language at It's Best!

I participated in the API Summmer 2 French Language Program in Paris from July to August 2010. I was incredibly skeptical at first, because my French skills were severely lacking and I'd never lived or studied abroad before, but I decided to go for it and I'm so glad I did, because it ended up being the best experience of my entire 4 (& change) years in college.

The staff support that API provides is above and beyond, giving you directions, tips, maps, reviews/opinions on things to do and see in the city, weekend travel opportunities that are included in your program fees, and an awesome office that is conveniently situated in the center of Paris (which also serves as a great reference point and place to study)!

The chose to live in the FEU (Fondation des Etats Unis) with most of the other students on the program, although some chose homestays and one or two chose to live in their own apartments. I fully recommend staying at the FEU because it's more cost efficient than apartment living, yet allows you more freedom to do as you please and come & go during later hours than a homestay would. Most of the students on the program chose the FEU, which also made it convenient to get together to go out to museums, clubs, and catch the Metro to class together in the mornings. My closest relationships and bonds were made with others who were staying at the FEU.

The food is phenomenal in Paris, I definitely recommend saving and bringing MORE than you'd expect to spend. I ran out pretty quickly and wasn't too happy about having to live off of banana Nutella crepes for a week (although those are delicious).

Museums are FREE to students of the EU system, which you will be considered as during your study abroad experience, so GET OUT and see them! The Louvre is amazing, you could spend a full week there - for free! It's really an incredible opportunity.

Some of my favorite moments were: view of the Eiffel Tower lighting up at night from Trocadero Park, Oscar Wilde's grave at Pere Lachaise, gelato at the gardens of Versailles on an insanely hot day mid-July.