IES Internships Paris Summer – Internship

I had an amazing time studying abroad with IES Internship Abroad! There was a lot of paperwork and tasks needed to get done before departing, however IES made it easy to organize myself by having a list of tasks and their due dates. They also held orientations that were helpful, covering topics around housing, safety, etc. They did their best to match me with a job that fit my major and other preferences, and they also did a good job assigning me to a great homestay in which I practiced my French lot. On top of that, they held excursions to visit other parts of Paris, which was a great way to explore more the farther parts of Paris and meeting others in the program. In the end, my French improved a lot, I was able to step out of my comfort zone which improved my confidence, and I left with great memories with lifelong friends!

For me, this was my first time abroad. I had an idea of what to do and how to act, but there was no real way to prepare for the experience. Fortunately IES was there to help in just the right places. I was placed with a wonderful family, and they were key to my cultural experiences. They were able to give me tips on fun places to go, but also places that might be unsafe. They also taught me how to use the metro lines. In reference to the metro, the Metro Pass that IES provided was a God-send. Metro travel for normal tourist is extremely expensive, and my free metro pass allowed me travel as much as I wanted. I was able to travel throughout Paris and even a few outside neighborhoods. My freedom of travel really made the difference between a vacation and a true experience. Finally, IES provided another layer of security. IES frequently emailed us about possible danger, even before the State Department. The staff at IES also frequently texted us just to check in. Overall my internship was an amazing experience, and would recommend it to anyone.