Student Services Study Abroad Evaluation

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1 Student Services Study Abroad Evaluation Name Amanda Katz When and where did you participate in your study abroad program? Location Paris Semester Summer Year 2012 Prior to your Tisch Study Abroad experience, had you traveled or lived in another country before? Yes Traveled briefly once No Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. This evaluation is taken very seriously and will contribute to the maintenance of our study abroad programming. Section A: Pre Departure (Visa/Flight/Packing) 1. How long did the visa process take you, if applicable? Was it a difficult process? Summer semester students and TA s did not need one 2. Do you have any advice regarding the Visa application process? Summer semester students and TA s did not need one 3. Do you have any recommendations or tips about booking your flight or travel overseas? My travel was booked by NYU since it was part of my job to be there as a Teacher s Assistant 4. Was there something you thought would be available to purchase overseas that wasn t or is there anything you would advise students to make sure to bring with them? Come prepared with the outlet converters, and travel sized toiletries so that you can get settled and be comfortable before worrying about trying to find a drugstore. I forgot a towel, and spent my first hours in Paris figuring out where I could by one! 5. Is there anything you did pack that you would recommend leaving at home? This was the first trip that I actually packed light, and it was very beneficial. I enjoyed the freedom of having a simple, comfortable closet, and room in my bags to bring home some things I found and purchased during my stay.

2 6. Did you bring a laptop with you? If so, did you find that it was necessary and/or helpful? I did bring a laptop because as a Teacher s Assistant, I had many s to send and documents to prepare. I would recommend students bringing one as well, so that they can stay on top of their assignments and potentially read PDF s and course work digitally. I never brought my laptop to class, and neither did the students. We all just kept ours safe in our rooms. It was nice to have a laptop to keep up with news and listen to music as well. 7. Do you have any suggestions regarding specific supplies or clothing to pack (e.g. raingear, coats, books, etc)? I would say to bring a little bit of everything. One raincoat, one heavy jacket if you are traveling during the winter, a few sweaters, etc. I would say to not be excessive, especially if you are just going for a quick 6 week semester. Be prepared for the climate you will be living in. I didn t except just how cool some of the summer nights in Paris were going to be, so I wound up finding a shop in an inexpensive neighborhood where I bought a coat for about $35 so just know that wherever you are traveling, there will be stores in case you forget something important. Make sure to pack comfortable shoes, because my students and I spent most of our free time exploring the city on foot. 8. Did you ship anything to your overseas site ahead of time? No. Section B: Arrival and Check In 1. Did you arrive earlier than the check in day? If so, do you have any student accommodation recommendations? I did, but only to prepare for the course so my accommodations were scheduled for by NYU. The teacher I worked for made sure to get me setup with a working cellphone and proper map as soon as we landed, which was extremely helpful, so I would suggest taking care of those two things right away as well. 2. What was your experience like going through Customs? Very easy! Just follow the rules. 3. How would you advise students to prepare before going through Customs? Fill out the paperwork they give you on the plane, and just have your passport in a safe but accessible spot. 4. How did you get from the airport to your overseas check in site? Do you have any advice? This was taken care of by the professor I traveled with and by NYU. We took a cab into the city, but I think if you are street savvy figuring out the transit system would have been a less expensive, and feasible possibility. Section C: Housing and Meals 1. In general, how would you describe the residence? We stayed in an older dorm type space that La Sorbonne students stay in during the regular school semesters. It was an older building, and the people who were in charge had culturally specific sensibilities, but it was a very cozy and well located place. 2. How would you describe the bedding in your residence? Was it provided for you? We were given a pillow, two top sheets, and a very thin blanket. They were more than enough considering it was the summer and we didn t need much to keep us warm. Some of my students were not used to

3 having two top sheets, so I would suggest bringing a fitted sheet for the bed so that it doesn t slide up and the mattress underneath doesn t bother you. 3. Did you have any issues with or would you make any recommendations regarding phone access, electricity, linens/bedding, and mail service at the residence? I had no issues. 4. Did you have Internet available in your residence? Was it wireless? Did you need to bring an Ethernet cord? If Internet wasn t available in your residence, how and where did you use it? We had wireless internet, but sometimes the signal was weak and using an ethernet cord was a good alternative to have brought. 5. Did you have access to/use on site laundry services? If not, where/how would you recommend students do their laundry? We had access to on site laundry services. There were only two for the whole building so sometimes you had to wait in a really long line, but they were the only machines around our neighborhood that I knew of. 6. If you were able to cook in your residence, did you? If so, where would you recommend students go to get their groceries or other items? We had access to a hot plate and microwave, as well as a mini fridge, so cooking was possible but a little difficult. We all went shopping at MonoPrix and then went to various farmer s markets for produce and snacks. The easiest thing to prepare was cereal for breakfast, and simple things that just needed a little bit of heating. Salad s were popular to make as well. Buying a cheap pot and pan and splitting it with people on your floor right away is a good idea. If you wait too long, you will keep convincing yourself that you won t be abroad long enough anymore to purchase one however, Paris is expensive and buying all of your meals out is equally so, so purchasing some cooking supplies right away is recommended. The coffee in the dorm was also pretty bad, and I found the instant coffees they sell at MonoPrix tastier, so that s also an option to save a little bit of money. 7. If you didn t cook, where would you recommend students go to eat near the residence? And near the academic facilities? Everyone pretty much lives off of baguette sandwiches sold on pretty much every street corner in Paris, in shops both near the hostel and the school. There s also a falafel restaurant in the Marais called L'As Du Fallafel which is very inexpensive, fast, and a healthy option. 8. Was there anything essential for your room that wasn t provided for you that you had to buy? Everything was provided for, however I found a painting about halfway through my stay that I hung, and it really made my room feel more like home. 9. How did you communicate w/people back at home (e.g. your U.S. cell phone, local cell phone, calling card, etc)? I set up a plan on my cellphone that allowed me to have some international minutes, and also used free texting services like whatsapp to stay in touch. 10. What advice do you have for students about keeping in touch while overseas? At first I was calling my parents and friends and going on Facebook in the evenings, but the longer I was abroad the more comfortable I felt, and it became nice to just stay present where I was and only check in every couple of days. Skype and Facebook can really keep you in your room longer than you might want to be when you are only in a city for a limited amount of time, so the advice I would give is to concentrate

4 on meeting new people and making the most of your time abroad, and check in with those you care for at home every few days. s were my favorite form of communication while abroad. 11. For Prague, Florence, and London programs only: Did you live with any NYU students who were not participating in a Tisch program? If so, how was that experience? N/A Section D: Academic 1. How did you get from your dorm to your classes? Did you find it convenient? I either took the metro or vélib bike share to class. I believe they are moving the location of the NYU academic buildings, but it took us about 30/40 minutes to get to class. The trains were direct, though lots of people commute by metro in Paris so they could be very packed in the mornings, which was sometimes a little stressful. Biking was a great option because there s so many people who commute by bike that cars in Paris are very aware of cyclists. Biking was also a wonderful way to get to know the lay of the land in the city. 2. Were the on site resources adequate (e.g. books, libraries, Internet, etc)? If not, what would you recommend students bring with them or do to prepare for classes? I was only a teacher s assistant so I didn t have the stress of completing coursework on time, however bringing a long a comfortable bag to carry books and notebooks in would be recomended. 3. What Tisch program track did you participate in while you were overseas (if applicable)? What was your course schedule like? I was the Teacher s Assistant for a group that was taking both the Urban Arts Workshop and Documenting Culture course, which was a documentary film production class. Both of these classes were taught by the same teacher, and I would say on average we had class four days a week, lasting anywhere from 3 6 hours each day. The classes also required field trip participation, and the completion of three films which the students were required to film and edit on their own time. The students probably spent 5 10 hours a week reading for class and working on their films in addition to class time. 4. What were your academic responsibilities like on evenings and weekends? Responsibilities for the Urban Arts Workshop course included readings that took probably 1 2 hours, and attending field trips to museums or completing walking/ exploratory assignments (which were all really fun, and didn t feel like work). The film making class required the students to film and edit three projects and to crew on their classmates shoots as well. All this work could be completed before or after class each day, or saved for the weekends, however it was at times time consuming work that required pre planning. Some students were quick and got their projects shot and edited before the weekend, however most of the students took their time and enjoyed making the films, so it never really felt like a weekend or evening burden. 5. Is there anything else you think students should know about the program academics? Both Urban Arts Workshop and Documenting Culture are at times rigorous academic classes that require real thought and commitment to the presented material. For the most part however they are designed as classes that insist you explore and connect with your new surrounding environment so in this way the classes and coursework tie into just being out and exploring Parisian and City life in general. Be prepared to walk, listen, look, smell, and eat! Being open minded and respectful of Parisian culture is also a must. Section E: Money

5 1. Did you bring any foreign currency with you when you arrived? If so, how much would you recommend students bring with them upon arrival? I travelled with 100 euro to set me up. Banks are plentiful in Paris however, so whatever you feel the most comfortable traveling with I would recommend. Definitely arrive with a little bit of money though or make sure you exchange in the airport, because plenty of places to eat will be cash only. 2. How much money would you recommend students budget weekly to spend on transportation, food, fun, etc? I probably spent anywhere from $150 $200 dollars a week. Paris can be expensive, and you definitely want to make sure you have a transportation pass that allows you to get out and explore as much as possible, so I recommend buying the more expensive monthly pass so that you can always be mobile. 3. How much money would you recommend students budget for expenses during the entire term? Everyone spends money differently. If you re a big shopper and like to eat a lot of your meals out, definitely be prepared to spend maybe $200 $300 a week. I really enjoyed buying coffee out a cafés and spending money on museum entry s and nice weekend dinners, so those things added up as well. All in all though, I don t think I spent too much more money while abroad though then I do in my normal every day life, but you will feel like you are on vacation at times, as you should feel, so just make sure you have a little extra saved up. 4. How would you recommend students exchange or get money while they are overseas? My personal bank in the States is partnered with a European bank, so I was fortunate enough that they had plenty of ATM s in Paris that I was able to take money out with without getting charged a feel. So that s certainly the easiest way. Just make sure to call you bank at home ahead of time so that they are aware you are traveling and don t freeze your card, and they should also be able to offer advice on banks they are partnered up with. 5. For making purchases, would you recommend students use a credit card or cash? Cash was the easiest for me, and occasionally I would charge my groceries and pricier meals. 6. Is there any other advice you would like to share about money? Taking out a large sum of cash at once and then returning home immediately to put it in a safe place worked well for me. That way when I needed cash, I could just take more out from home instead of worrying about going out of the way to find the bank I needed. I never had more than about 80 euro on me at a time either, but that s a personal preference. I just never wanted to potentially have my wallet fall out of my bag or something and then have all that cash go missing. Section F: Cultural Sensitivity 1. Did you feel comfortable as a foreigner while abroad? I did. French people don t really look a certain way to me, and Paris is full of all different types of nationalitites and cultures, so I felt like it was easy to blend in and not worry about being seen as a foreigner. Going about at night with my students in the class was also a nice way to meet new people, but still have someone to process the experiences with as well. 2. Were there any specific cultural differences (customs, language, etc) that took you time to adjust to? Not really Paris is a large metropolitan city very much like New York, where I had been living already for 3 years at the time that I went abroad. I didn t speak any French upon going, so at first

6 the language barrier made me a little lonely, but I picked up on a few phrases that got me by, and I felt comfortable being there. Most people in Paris speak English, and the people were also happy to converse with me that way. I found Parisian culture a lot more proper than American culture, and found it best to be respectful of their dining habits and polite way of interacting with strangers. It was nice to assimilate into their culture, as opposed to standing out all of the time like a tourist to get a sense for what it was like to live in a slightly different way. For the most part, all of the differences I saw challenges; an excuse to try out a new mode of living. 3. What was your experience like in meeting and interacting with the local people? Great! Smiling and manners get you very far in Paris as in most other places. 4. Did you do a lot of research about the country before you went? If so, what resources would you recommend students use to do their research? I only had about a month s notice that I was going to be assisting the class in Paris, so I hardly had time to prepare at all. I picked up a beginners french book that I read about 30 pages of before traveling which actually taught me some great simple phrases. The Berlitz French reader its great. The first night the students arrived in Paris however there was a french liaison who joined us all for dinner that gave everyone some basic facts about the metro and cell phones and Parisian cultural quirks that really helped everyone out. She also taught us what the signs in the metro and on the street meant, and how to hail a taxi if need be. The liaison was around for anyone that needed help throughout our stay there, and oftentimes joined us on class field trips to check in with how everyone was doing. 5. What advice would you give students to adjust to the new culture? Be open minded and aware of how everyone is acting and interacting around you. The culture in Paris isn t so different, I can t even really recall what needed getting used to at this moment, but I do remember that being polite got me very far in terms of fitting in with the locals. Section G: Health & Safety 1. Please describe your access to medical services, pharmacies, counseling, etc. There s pharmacies on every corner in Paris just like we have Duane Reade s in New York, as well as grocery stores that sell all of the medications and toiletries one could need. There were definitely medical services and counselors available as well, however I never used them so I wouldn t be able to tell you exactly where they were located. I believe they were in the same complex as the academic buildings. 2. Please describe the access to fitness or gym facilities while you were overseas. How did you or your classmates exercise if they wanted to? I don t recall fitness or medical services, however everyone was fond of going on runs through the large beautiful park we lived across from, or going on runs and bike rides along the river. I also practiced yoga in my room daily, since the yoga and fitness classes in Paris were INCREDIBLY expensive. 2. In general did you feel safe overseas? I have to say that I honestly always felt safe. Of course I would recommend traveling in a group late at night, but even so, I was never bothered by anyone on the street and the building we lived in had a front desk attendant and felt very secure. We also lived on a centrally located, well lit block, just two blocks from the metro.

7 3. Is there anything in particular about your study abroad site that you think students should know about personal health or safety? If you are female, there are creepy guys who hang around at night like they do everywhere, so you keep your wits about you. It s probably just a good idea to travel in groups at night, especially if you plan on having a few drinks, just so you know you will all get home safely. Section H: Student Tips 1. Please list 10 things you would recommend students do/see before leaving the program. 1. Go to the Musée Rodin, even if just to hang out in the park in the back. 2. Go to the Musée D Orsay and the Palais de Tokyo. 3. Walk up to Montmartre. 4. Hang out on Rue du Belleville, and check out the jazz clubs. 5. Take the train to Parc La Villette for an outdoor concert or movie. 6. Walk as much as possible in every neighborhood they are all beautiful and different. 7. Hang out on the banks of the Canal St. Martin in the 9th Arrondisement. 8. Stand in the middle of the Arc de Triomphe for a long period of time. 9. Have tea and pastries at Le Mosque de Paris, and then stroll through La Jardin de Plantes. 10. Check out Parc Montsouris or Parc des Buttes Chaumont on a weekend afternoon. 2. Did you find that you had time to experience the local nightlife? If so, would you suggest any particular places to go? Definitely! Rue de Belleville is a lot of fun, and going out in the Marais or Bastille area is always a good time. If your further north, Bar Ourcq was a popular spot two years ago, and its right on the canal. Buying cheap wine and cheese and hanging on the Seine is a very popular summer thing to do in Paris as well. 3. Did you find there was much shopping available to you? If so, what are your suggestions for getting the most for your money? I hardly shopped while in Paris. There are cute vintage/ consignment stores my students liked in the Marais that were inexpensive, but also small hidden shops wherever you go. 4. How did you travel around (walk, bus, train, etc)? Do you have any advice regarding transportation? The trains and buses are very easy to figure out, and run frequently. They stop running around 1am though, so if you plan on being out late, just prepare to walk or find a bike. The bike share system in Paris is very popular and always a quick bet, so I would recommend buying a weekly pass. Biking around is sometimes difficult since parts of the city are quite hilly, but it was the best way for me and my students to all get to know the layout of the city.

8 5. Did you find that you had time to travel during your semester? If so, when was the best time and where did you go? I did not travel outside of the city. Two students took a trip to Amsterdam in Berlin, however I think they found that it was silly to travel to huge cities with just one day to spend in each place. A trip to Versailles is affordable and quick, and one student of mine did that and really enjoyed her day there. I personally found Paris endless and just really enjoyed getting to know the city. I think the students will find that they are a little too busy with making their films to travel extensively, however I am sure there will be a free weekend or two towards the beginning of the semester if they want to make plans. Traveling before or after the program ends could be a better idea. I have since traveled back to Paris as well, and also went to London in the same trip which was a very quick city to get to from Paris via the Chunnel (albeit a little expensive). 6. Do you have any tips about traveling outside of the program (safety, money, accommodation, method of travel)? I personally did not travel anywhere, but I know that the French liaison we had offered great advice to the students that did, so I would say wait to meet and talk with her before booking any trains and flights. 7. Do you have any advice for students regarding their return travel back home at the end of the program? My flights and taxis were booked and covered by NYU since it was part of my job to travel with the equipment, so unfortunately I do not have much advice to give on this. Just be prepared though as always when traveling, and give yourself plenty of time for unforeseen circumstances. 8. Is there anything else you would like to share about your study abroad experience or to help other students prepare for their semester overseas? I think the above sums its all up pretty well! I had the most most amazing 7 weeks of my life in Paris, and am eternally grateful for the experience. I very much enjoyed the freedom and excitement of being in a new city and in a new country. Although it is fun to do things with other people, also make sure you get to go to all of the museums and restaurants and concerts you want to to go to, even if means going alone. Its important that you get to see and do what you want, and it can be very rewarding to be out exploring on your own just make sure you bring a map! I also think you will find being in a different country a great way to get to know and develop aspects of your personality that you didn t know existed, and while at times this can be a challenging experience, just being willing to put yourself out there and try new things.

Student Services Study Abroad Evaluation

Student Services Study Abroad Evaluation Name: Mamie Zwettler When and where did you participate in your study abroad program? Location (please select) Amsterdam Semester (please select) Summer Year (please