Kiki’s College-Led Program in Paris

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Wanting to comply with within the footsteps of a school pupil who studied overseas in France? We not too long ago caught up with Kiki from Fullerton School, who participated in a custom-made faculty-led program in Paris in the course of the spring semester. 

Uncover how Kiki’s custom-made faculty-led expertise with AIFS Overseas allowed her to reconnect along with her roots and advance her language abilities! 

Selecting a Program Vacation spot 

When you resolve you wish to examine overseas, that you must determine the place to go. Fortuitously, AIFS Overseas gives packages in thrilling cities world wide, permitting you to select from a wide selection of choices. For Kiki, selecting France was easy, she wished advance her tutorial profession close to her dad’s hometown: 

“I selected to go to France as a result of I wished to have an expertise overseas whereas revisiting my dad’s dwelling nation and city. This system I used to be on was customized faculty-led, so I might suggest neighborhood school college students interested by French language and tradition to participate on this program.” 

Teachers Overseas 

Personalized faculty-led packages allow school college students to take part in tutorial packages performed by college members from their dwelling college. AIFS Overseas offers logistical assist, pupil providers, lecture rooms, housing amenities, and cultural actions at a location overseas, as Kiki explains: 

“Since this was a customized faculty-led program, I used to be nonetheless finding out with Fullerton School, however we have been positioned in lecture rooms situated within the FIAP, which was the coed neighborhood constructing in Paris. I believe it was an amazing expertise, and I loved having the ability to use the amenities as I studied or waited for my roommate earlier than going dwelling. 

Our lessons typically concerned exploration and publicity to Paris or France in a roundabout way. We have been all the time discussing points of the category and the way they associated to our host metropolis. Most of the professors additionally organized discipline journeys to totally different museums and areas to assist domesticate our studying expertise.” 

Language Studying 

Finding out overseas is a wonderful alternative to advance your language abilities, in the event you select to take action. Hear Kiki describe how her French improved throughout her time in Paris: 

“I knew the language prematurely and was enrolled in a course to convey my French to the next degree. My language abilities improved considerably throughout my time in France. I picked up on native slang and improved the fluidity of my talking. I like to recommend all the time making an attempt to talk the language of your host nation at the most effective of your skill.” 

Housing 

Housing is offered for all AIFS Overseas packages, together with our custom-made faculty-led packages. Under, Kiki describes her expertise in a homestay and reconnecting with members of the family who reside in France: 

“I used to be in a homestay, and I loved each second of it! My host dad and mom have been extraordinarily type, and my roommate and I have been pleasantly shocked by their kindness.  

I constructed an in depth friendship with my roommate and constructed a greater relationship with my household out in France. All of us maintained shut communication and revered any boundaries that have been set.” 

Weekend Journeys 

One of many advantages of AIFS Overseas packages is that we embrace journeys in this system value, permitting you to discover your host nation with out the stress of planning. Hear Kiki clarify her AIFS Overseas journey to Avignon: 

“The weekend journey to Avignon was in all probability essentially the most memorable journey we went on. AIFS did an amazing job organizing the journey, and all of us went collectively, so there was a variety of bonding time for the scholars.” 

Moreover, you’ll be able to take your personal journeys throughout your program, as Kiki did: 

“I believe one of the memorable [trips] was when my sister, her buddy, my roommate, and I went to sleep in a citadel in Dijon for a pair nights. It was simply so fantastical and a lot enjoyable to have the ability to have a slower day to chill out within the countryside with none social obligations.” 

Budgeting Overseas 

Prices are an element for a lot of college students who wish to examine or intern overseas. It’s best to take into account the price of this system itself and finances accordingly when you’re overseas. 

Fortuitously, AIFS Overseas is completely satisfied to simply accept any present monetary support packages which might be accepted by your faculty—simply be sure to talk together with your Monetary Support workplace! As well as, we encourage college students to use for our scholarships, which will help lighten the monetary load. 

Under, Kiki discusses her varied scholarships and the way she budgeted in France: 

“I used to be fortunate sufficient to obtain the Gilman Scholarship, in addition to the AIFS ambassador scholarship and two smaller scholarships from Fullerton School. I saved my cash via working a number of jobs and restricted my spending to assist me lower your expenses for my journey. I additionally participated in varied fundraising actions resembling promoting crepes, chocolate, and even beginning a GoFundMe. I might suggest [that] college students start saving as quickly as they know they’re contemplating finding out overseas. I believe inventive fundraising is a GREAT approach to assist construct funding for examine overseas. I might additionally suggest that they apply for scholarships. It by no means hurts to use even when they are saying no.” 

Remaining Ideas from Kiki 

For anybody contemplating finding out overseas, Kiki gives the next recommendation: 

“In case you’re interested by going, simply go and do that program! There may be a lot you’re going to be taught, and also you’ll construct connections with people who find themselves going to alter your life. I can’t stress sufficient how a lot this expertise goes to alter your perspective and also you as an individual.” 

Kiki leaves you with this remaining reflection on her custom-made faculty-led expertise with AIFS Overseas: 

“My examine overseas expertise is sort of presumably one of many primary highlights of my life, and I can’t imagine it actually occurred. I’m so grateful for the alternatives I’ve been blessed with since and might’t wait to see what else is in retailer for me.” 

Are you able to take the leap and examine overseas like Kiki did in Paris? We’d love that will help you begin your journey! 

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to school college students examine overseas. Our packages are extremely inclusive, which takes a variety of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in realizing you’ll have assist all through your whole expertise overseas.