École Suisse Internationale Paris I Language courses I Study in France

#LanguageCourses

Name: Olga

From: Russia, Saint Petersburg

Studied in: France, Paris

Studies start: 2017

Grade: Language Courses Program

Program: French courses B2 & C1

University: École Suisse Internationale Paris

Partner University in your country: —

Program satisfaction rate: 5/5

Internship: —

Job: —

🎓 Application

How did you learn about this program?

A friend recommended it to me.

Why did you decide to enrol in this program?

It was very important for me to immerse myself in the language environment and French culture.

What was your application experience?

To determine the level of language proficiency, it was necessary to take an online test. Upon arrival at the language school, there was an additional interview with one of the teachers.

What level of English is required to enter this program?

—

What level of French is required to enter this program?

B2 (initially)

💡 Your impressions from your study abroad experience

What are your general impressions about this program?

The program was definitely worth it. The studies were organized so that everyone was maximally engaged in the process: we were either discussing something, preparing presentations and speaking in front of the group, or writing essays. Every week we had classes with three different teachers, each with a distinct temperament and teaching method. So we heard French spoken by three different people. The material was always relevant, and the communication was lively, which made learning interesting and applicable in daily life. Every day, we had lunch together around a big table in the school hall with teachers and students from other groups, continuing our discussions.

What was the major program value for you?

Successfully passing the DALF C1 exam.

What did you like about this program?

Modern teaching methods, small groups (up to 10 people), relevance of materials and discussion topics, openness of teachers, a family-like atmosphere, and special attention to spoken French.

And what didn’t you like?

There was nothing I didn’t like.

What is the hardest part of studying abroad?

—

Is this experience different from your experience at your country’s university? If yes, how?

I have significant experience learning foreign languages — in language schools (6 schools in 4 countries) and with private tutors (over 10 teachers in 4 languages). I can confidently say that École Suisse Internationale is the best school I have attended, and I definitely recommend it.

How did your typical day look like?

I took an intensive French course (24 hours per week). Monday to Thursday, classes were from 9:00 to 16:00, and on Friday from 9:00 to 12:15. In my free time, I was fully immersed in the cultural life of Paris: walks, excursions, exhibitions, museums, galleries, cinema, theater, opera, cathedrals, parks, libraries, cafés and restaurants, palaces and castles, meeting with French friends, quests, themed fairs, markets, and art openings. I spent a lot of time with French people because understanding how Parisians live is an essential part of integration.

📌 Useful resources

If you had questions or issues (studies, language, administration, careers, integration etc), where did you get help/advice?

I asked my French friends or the teachers at school.

Did you contact other students with a similar experience? Was their experience helpful?—

Could you recommend websites which might help study abroad?www.abritel.fr — for finding accommodation.

💰 Finance

What was the cost of your program? How did you finance your studies?

330€/week + one-time registration fee of 65€. I financed my studies myself.

🏠 Accommodation

What was your accommodation experience?

I rented a studio alone just a few steps from the Panthéon (5th arrondissement) for €1,200/month. I found it on www.abritel.fr.

How much did you pay for living per month during your studies? €1,200

🚀 Career opportunities

Did you do an internship during your studies? How did you find it?

—

Did your university help you in this process?

—

What was the field of your internship? If you don’t mind please share the remuneration you got.

—

Did you find a job after graduation? Which field and how did you find it?

—

🌏 Your future plans

What are your plans? Do you plan to stay in the country?

I’m not sure yet, but having a C1 level in French gives me the opportunity to study at French universities or work in the language.

What do you like about France? And what not?

I love everything about France: the culture, the people, the language, cinema, music, national cuisine, wine, and philosophy of life.

Could you give a piece of advice to future students?

Be open and positive, allow yourself to (become) French. “With each new language you live a new life. If you know only one language, you live only once.” (Czech proverb)