American Buisness School Paris (ABS)
What better place to go to then the city of lights and romance. It is full of life, culture, business, art, fashion and some of the most famous land marks.
We got the chance to spend 4 amazing months in this city, while studying at the American Business School Paris. Being emerged into a city with a language neither of us knew and a city we didn't know our way around was definitely a challenge at first, but by the end of our experience neither of us wanted to leave. When you walked around this city you find and see something new everyday and are put in situations you would never be put in if you weren't studying in another country. Such as figuring out the at first confusing metro, which is the way everyone travels around Paris. At first we would try and ask people for help but quickly realized that was hopeless because everyone speaks french and didn't have a clue what we were trying to say. Getting lost was an everyday adventure that would a lot of time lead us to places we wouldn't have found without going the wrong way.
Being abroad you have to have a lot of patience because your learning to live and be exposed to a new culture and lifestyle. One thing that is very different from the US is that in Europe pretty much everything closes in the middle of day and isn't open on Sundays and everyone eats dinner at around 9-10 o'clock at night. Not only did everything close in the middle of the day, but when we would go grocery shopping typically you have to buy everything at different places because the grocery stores only carry necessities and snacks so you get your fruits and vegetables from a fruit and vegetable stand, your meat from the butcher, cheese from a fromage (cheese) shop and your bread and pastries from a boulangeries-patisseries (bakeries).
The culture and art while being abroad was amazing every building you walked by had excellent architecture that you couldn't help but look at and love. With the way the buildings looked you always wondered if it was something important. I remember walking down the street and on one side you would see the very historical and famous Notre Dame and then on your other side would be the famous Seine River. Not only were their tons of historical monuments but their were so many museums, such as the Louvre which has the famous Mona Lisa hanging it in. With having over 35,000 pieces of artwork in it, it is said that it would take you thirteen 24 hour days to see every piece if you spent only 30 seconds at each one. Not only are you learning in the classroom but every where you go in the city gives you the chance to run into a historical monument, such as the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the Bastille, Moulin Rouge and you can also make your way to the Palace of Versailles to see where Marie Antoinette and Kind Louis XVI used to live. Not only is Paris a city full of culture and famous land marks, but it is one of the fashion capitals of the world. The famous street Champs de Elysee, is where any designer you can think of is located along with the Arc de Triomphe. Paris is definitely a city where you have dress up at least a little bit when you go out, because you will rarely see anyone out in sweats.
Of course studying abroad isn't just about exploring and having fun in the city your living in, but its definitely a big part of it. While in Paris like we mentioned before we attended the American Business School Paris, which had classes in both English and French. While most classes were integrated with students from all over Europe! At first it was hard to get used to the class schedules because typically every class was held only once a week. You are allowed 2 absences per class and 4 tardies, or else that class would not get transfered back to your home school. The school system was definitely a lot more strict in that way, but the classes weren't that difficult.
Many of you are probably thinking well I can't afford to go abroad, but don't you worry their are so many different scholarships and grants you can receive. Such as the Gilman Scholarship, which is the biggest one you can get when going abroad some people get up to $5,000. Not only can you receive scholarships and grants but typically when you go abroad your tuition is the same as the school your attending so all your financial aid will transfer over if you are receiving it. Overall this was an experience of a lifetime and we would recommend it to anyone. Hopefully this will give you a little taste of what it's like to study abroad. This is just one of the many cities you can choose from, so follow your heart and go to the place of your dreams.
When you study abroad you need to take advantage of the proximity of the surrounding countries. It is not only easy, but also fun to get around by train. The Eurail lets you experience the best of Europe. Taking you straight to the city centers while relaxing and enjoying breathtaking views. You can get a pass for 1 country or a pass for 25! There are custom packages available for everyones interest. You can purchase yours online or at a number of train stations once in Europe.
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