IES Abroad Paris – Business & International Affairs

This fall, I studied in Paris with the IES program, and I had the most amazing time. It was a perfect blend of coordination by the staff and having the freedom to explore things on our own on the weekends. There were tons of trips, including those that I personally booked, but also organized excursions that were run by the program, most of which were free of charge! I feel like I got to explore lots of Paris and France, and I also got a touch of European culture through my travels.

When I say that this program is the best thing that has ever happened to me, that would be an understatement. Paris, first of all, is the most beautiful city in the world. With such a depth of culture at your very fingertips and incredible variety of food, how can you not just fall in love? The program I participated in was so much fun and I was very lucky to be able to meet many other students from across the United States. I took fun classes that are not offered at my home university and got to learn more than I ever could have imagined. Even just roaming the city was so much fun and I think that there are so many hidden gems in Paris. I became very accustomed to the lifestyle quickly and living with a host family really helped with that. I used French daily and am now almost fluent. I had so much fun and I highly recommend this program!

My experience studying abroad in Paris was absolutely amazing. Right from the start, my roommate and me bonded and made other friends at orientation. I got to visit many great countries and learned so much about their different cultures. I really am blessed to have met so many amazing people, not only in my friends but also in the staff at the IES Center. Someone was always there to answer my questions, whether it was about where to eat, how to use the metro, how to buy medicine, or academic questions, they always got answered. My classes were really interesting, they offered a variety. My favorite one was my digital marketing class, my professor was a marketing manager at Chloé so I got to learn a lot about the real world of marketing. IES also offered many free field trips and museum visits. One of my favorite parts was that every week they did a raffle where you answered a couple questions about Paris and the winners got tickets for the Opera, macaroon classes, wine tastings, or cheese tastings.

I was in Paris this past semester and absolutely fell in love with this city. Leaving Paris was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced because I gained a new perspective and met so many amazing people during my time there. Through the IES Business & International Affairs program I was able to meet new friends, go see a French ballet, take a trip to Normandy, have interesting classes, meet my language partner, be able to live with an amazing host mom; just some to say the least. These are experiences and relationships that I still carry with me now and have fond memories of. Going abroad everyone is worried about making friends, but honestly on the first day talk to as many people as you can. You are all in the same boat but you all have different stories that you can share to get to know each other more. The people I met in this program were the ones who I went on adventures with; like taking random trips to Notre Dame, eating sushi on Boulevard de Sébastopol, going out to experience Paris day/night life, or just hanging out on the Seine. Find people who will encourage you to go out and have fun because it is impossible to see all of Paris but you have to try and experience the most you can. The IES program has a raffle every month that you can sign up for and go to different events. I did this and ended up winning tickets to go see a French ballet. It was so beautiful and was unique to me because I had never seen a ballet before. Also, IES provided an opportunity for students to go to Normandy, here I was able to learn more not only about French history, but British and US history as well. Now moving on to IES classes they were great and the professors are so interesting and intelligent. They were so friendly and loved talking to their students not just about classes but about their lives in France. One thing to note is that the program was mostly made up of US students so it made it harder to meet people from France. This is why I would recommend choosing to live with a host family and signing up for the Epitech language exchange program. I was nervous to live with a family that I did not know at all, but I have no regrets because in my opinion I got the most amazing host mom in the world. She was so patient with my awful French and helped me in finding new things to do in Paris. Also, she made great food and don’t believe what people say about France having smaller portions because my host mom always fed me so much, and honestly not complaining about that. I was comfortable asking her anything and she let me look at her photo albums, her husband’s music collection, etc. She is such a great person and I learned so much from her. The language program was another great opportunity for me to meet people in France. I contacted representatives from Epitech through IES and they assigned me a language partner. I met my partner and he was so easy to talk to and really showed me Paris through a different lens. He showed me parts of Paris I didn’t even know existed and introduced me to his friends. Through this program I was able to meet incredible people who I love to talk to and experiences that I will never forget.

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This past spring I participated in the IES Business & International Affairs program in Paris, France and it was one of the best experiences ever! My classes were interesting and related directly to my majors, I met many new people (French and American) through programs hosted by IES, and IES paired me up with an internship during my time in Paris. I was a bit hesitant about participating in the internship option, but it was my favorite part of my time abroad. Although I didn’t have as much free time as other students, I don’t regret a single thing. I gained new skills, practiced my French with locals, and I experienced firsthand what the French work environment is like. I would highly recommend this program and the internship option to anyone who wants to explore the French culture all while staying on top of your academics and growing as a person.

Whether it was long meals with my host family, volunteering at a retirement home, sitting in the classroom, or exploring the city of Paris, I never stopped learning throughout my study abroad program. Learning the tangible facts in class, learning about myself and strengths I didn't know I had, or learning to develop in a new culture different from my own. I loved how willing the staff was to help make the program fit the goals I had for the experience. For example, I knew I wanted to volunteer somewhere to practice my French and get a better understanding for the community. My program sat down with me, asked what I had interest in, and then supported me in a weekly volunteer session at a retirement home! The support I received and the amazing learning I had made this study abroad experience so unforgettable. I miss my host family and friends made so much and every single day I have something remind me of my time there.

My time abroad was so fulfilling, and I owe it all to IES Abroad! The staff was so helpful whenever I had any questions, which was a lot of the time. They took time out of their day to help me solve problems, and they always had smiles on their faces! I was placed with an amazing homestay family who truly became my family away from home. The staff did check-ins with me to make sure that I was happy in my placement, and I always felt comfortable. Everyone was very passionate about helping me maximize my time in Paris, and I am so grateful for that. We went on cool trips, and you could even wine some extra events like cooking classes and opera shows in the center. I loved my time abroad and I would recommend IES to anyone looking to study in Paris!

When people say that studying abroad is the time of their life, they are NOT LYING! Four years ago when I was looking for my dream college and University one of my requirements was that I had to be able to Study Abroad and specifically go to Paris. When I got onto my campus at the University of Vermont, I told my academic advisor our first meeting that we need to arrange my 4 year course schedule to include a semester in Paris. I was determined to do everything in my power to go to Paris, France. While researching different programs, my school really encouraged me going to an exchange program or one that was run by my university. There was ONE school my university called a “direct exchange” and it was not in Paris, so I immediately crossed it off of my list. I found IES and loved that it is an American program, based out of Chicago, so they had an understanding about the college system and life in the US. Then once I applied, I got my packet of information to take to the French Consulate or Embassy. They made it so easy, and I know other friends of mine who were going to other countries with other programs, had such a hard time getting their visa, but if you go through IES as long as you follow every direction to a T, you will have no problem getting your Visa. The classes were amazing, and the professors caring about you and the course subject. They also really encouraged applying the lessons even in marketing to go and explore Paris and the surrounding countries. I studied the French culture all throughout high school (my high school french teach is a member of the family who started Fragonard Perfumeur), and I wasn’t going to Paris to just take classes and then to travel to other places. I really wanted to live and absorb the culture that I had learned about though my teacher’s stories and things I read in textbooks. This program really allowed me to explore other things outside of my business curriculum!

My junior year fall semester was the best semester I have had at college thanks to IES Abroad. The ability to travel around Europe, try new things, and most importantly make lifelong friends in such a short period of time was incredible. I loved passing the Eiffel Tower on my way to class every day and getting recommendations on fun things to do from the IES staff. I truly could not have had a better abroad experience and I cannot wait to come back and visit soon.

IES was the best decision of my life. After studying abroad in France, I can speak near fluent French, have a better understanding of what it takes to adjust to a foreign culture, and I have a passion to take my professional career abroad. The challenge was immense and it took me an entire month before I felt settled in my home stay. However, after that month of adjustment and making mistakes, I felt confident speaking French with my host family and living in a completely foreign environment.

One of the best decisions I've made last semester was choosing to do the IES Paris Business and International Affairs Program. Of course I was nervous before embarking on this journey, knowing I would spend the next few months in a new countries surrounded by new people. However, IES quickly eased my fears. I was placed in a homestay in the center of Paris, allowing me to practice the french that I had been attempting to learn for so long. My classes were engaging and helped me to immerse myself in French culture. I have to say that one of the highlights of this program was the team behind IES Paris. They were friendly, approachable and truly cared about our well-being. One of the organizers helped me find an amazing internship with a French start-up. They truly go above and beyond! In the end, as cliché it sounds, Paris is what you make of it, so take advantage of this incredible city! I'm happy to say I've made some life-long friends and I've learned a lot about myself in the process. Thank you, IES!

I've wanted to study abroad in Paris since my I started learning French in the 8th grade, and my semester at IES Paris BIA absolutely blew away my expectations. One of my main goals in studying in Paris was to really immerse myself in the culture and people, and I was able to do so through this program. I stayed with a retired French couple in Neuilly-Sur-Seine, an amazing little town right outside Paris, I took two French classes that really allowed me to learn about the intricacies of French society and culture (in French, of course!), and I volunteered at a Parisian middle school, helping kids improve their English and participate in a cultural exchange. The staff was incredible as well. They're so friendly and truly want you to have the best experience while in Paris and France. I highly recommend this program for those wanting to studying in Paris!

I absolutely loved my time abroad in Paris. In-between learning about international affairs and expanding my knowledge in French, I had tons of time to explore the city and travel to places I'd never been before. A favorite past-time of my friends and I was sitting in parks around the city while we studied, talked, or (more often) enjoyed some delicious wine and cheese. I was able to get a routine around the city, which ultimately made me realize that I want to move back to Paris to continue my studies after I graduate in the Spring. The IES BIA center in Paris was an excellent place for my foreign studies, as the program itself was small and it wasn't stressful getting to know the other students and professors there. The classes were very interesting and the professors were so helpful throughout the entire semester. I also lived in a great neighborhood in the 15th arrondissement, with tons of cafes and shops all around me. I absolutely loved it!

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The most useful advice I had heard during the orientation was "make the city your own"; to own your own experience, and that's what I did! For me that was simply getting out. I would go on walks for hours around the city exploring every street and metro station I could! Each day I would set a new goal to go to a different arrondisment or even just try something new at the local bakery. From the French coffee experience to playing kick-about soccer with locals every Thursday, I will never forget the memories I made. (I even still Snapchat some of my Parisian soccer friends today!) You never know what kind of connections you'll make and you truly get out what you put in.

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The opportunity to live and study in Paris last fall was absolutely life changing. At IES BIA, I was able to enroll in classes with subjects that I deeply cared about, and the professors and faculty really made the effort to get to know each student in the program. Living in Paris was an unforgettable experience, and my location was perfect for exploring the surrounding neighborhoods and even walking to the center city to meet up with friends. IES allowed me to fully immerse myself into French culture, and it even inspired me to one day move back to Paris. Studying abroad brought me more independence and cultural awareness, and I will never forget how amazing those 4-months in Paris were!

My semester in Paris with the IES Business and International Affairs program was the best four months of my life. I was able to live with a wonderful host family who exposed me to the various experiences of real Parisian life, cooked amazing meals, and helped me discover my neighborhood and Paris as a whole. The classes I took were taught by amazing professors who took the time to get to know each student and helped them with whatever needs they had. The staff was also wonderful and provided many opportunities for activities outside of class that allowed us to take advantage of all Paris had to offer. I met some incredible people and felt like a real Parisian after living in and experiencing the city for 4 months. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for an immersive study abroad experience.

My study abroad experience in Paris was a wonderful one. I lived with a host family and that was a great way to learn more about the french culture as well as practice my french. The staff at IES was very helpful in making sure we adapted well in our new environment. There was always something to do or somewhere to go in Paris and those were some of my many highlights living in Paris.

I spent my entire junior year enrolled in the IES Abroad Business and International Affairs program in Paris, France and it was the best decision of my life! Paris was an amazing city to study in. It was beautiful, had a rich history, and in almost 10 months I never ran out of things to do. The program, located in a quiet residential area, took academics very seriously, but it was easy to balance it out with travel in Paris, all of France, and other countries. The center organizes day trips to many different places in France and a weekend trip to Normandy as well. The staff and around 80 students were like family to me by the end of my experience. I had a wonderful experience with my host family and would highly recommend staying with a host, as it taught me more about the Parisian and French culture than I learned at the center. The program was exactly what I was looking for and it was an incredible year!

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I always thought travelling is an important part of someone’s life, but studying abroad helped me realize how to make the best of it. When you travel to another place, on vacation for example, you visit the city, you learn about the local culture, you come across locals, but you never really get to fully appreciate the place you are in. Studying abroad encouraged me to become part of the new city I was studying in allowing myself to enrich both my personal and academic life. I studied in Paris for a semester and it was a great experience I would do over and over again. Not only did I enjoy the infinity of distractions the city had to offer, but I also developed new skills I did not know I had. I learned how to be more independent, how to adapt to a new culture and how to be alone. This last aspect is not intended in a sad way, in fact, I learned how important it is to be able to take the initiative to go out even if other people don’t want to because you never know what you could miss out on. Academically, I learned new and exciting things within my field of study, which is communications (more specifically public relations), but the aspect that enriched my knowledge the most is learning how to think about a subject in different ways. Americans might have a certain approach to a problematic which is different from the French, so one should be able to be as open-minded as possible in order to take in consideration both perspectives. I definitely recommend studying abroad, it doesn’t have to be miles and miles from home, the most important thing is that you feel part of the new environment, not a stranger or tourist. The experience will have a significant impact on your life and the way you look at things; it’s the best way to enrich your knowledge while having fun and travelling, what more could you ask for?

Living and studying in Paris was an absolutely amazing experience. I lived in a homestay with the most genuine french woman who helped me really improve my French. (and she was an amazing cook!) The staff at IES were always ready to help, almost too ready at times. From time to time their oversight of our daily lives was overwhelming, but it is understandable that they wanted to keep an eye on us in the semester immediately after the attacks on Paris. Overall, my experience was so great! If you are fairly confident in your French abilities, I would suggest doing the French Studies program, as the business program is completely in English. Had I done French studies, I'm sure my language abilities would have improved much more than they did in my very easy French course and with my host mom. Work load for classes heavily depends on what course you take, however it is low compared to regular college.