Now that my program has ended, I’ve had some time to reflect on what I enjoyed the most and what I might do a bit differently if I did another program. First of all, would I want to do another program with ISA? Absolutely! Overall, my experience was incredible, and I would love to study abroad with ISA again.

Now, onto the details…

First, classes. The classes you take will be the core of your program, so it is essential that you take classes that actually interest you and you feel will benefit your education. Since I did a summer program, I only took two classes: a French language class and an art & architecture (A&A) class. For both classes, it is super important to read the description beforehand so you have an idea of what kind of time commitment it will be.

The language class was from 9-12 a.m. Monday through Friday. This class was a mix of students from all different programs, including some that didn’t speak English! This meant that all of the language classes, regardless of level, were taught entirely in French. We all took a placement test before arriving, but students were still able to move up or down a level if they felt they needed to, with the permission of the professor. I tested into level A2.2 (low-intermediate), and I think it was the right fit for me. I didn’t struggle too much with understanding the material, but I was still able to learn a lot. 

Having a class for three hours every morning was definitely tiring but ultimately not bad. I’m a morning person and would much rather get the hard stuff over with before lunch. That way, on the days I didn’t have another class, I would have the afternoon free to explore the city. The amount of hours seemed daunting at first, but I quickly got into a rhythm, and it was over before I knew it.

Meanwhile, my A&A class was a completely different experience. We were only in a classroom for one hour on the first day, and the rest of the class periods took place on the streets of Paris! The times and days of when I had A&A changed every week, but it was easy enough to keep track because the teacher was very communicative. I wholeheartedly loved this class because we got to go to so many different museums, monuments, and parks while learning about the context behind them. It was also a lot of walking some days which could leave me exhausted, but it was so worth it! I definitely recommend it; just make sure you have a water bottle and comfortable shoes if you take a similar class.

Second, excursions. My ISA program included two excursions: a weekend trip to the Loire Valley and a day trip to Fontainebleau. The excursions were optional, but I suggest signing up for anything that you can because it’s an easy way to elevate your trip without hurting your bank account. Plus, it’s always safer to travel with a group.

At the Loire Valley, we visited three chateaus: Chambord, Chenonceau, and Amboise. They were all beautiful, but my favorite was Amboise because we had more free time to explore and really take in our surroundings. It may have also helped that the weather was nicer on Sunday when we went. One thing I do wish I had known before going was to bring bug spray. I didn’t think it would be that big of an issue, but I was wrong. I’m not sure if other students in my program had the same experience, but I tend to be a bug magnet both in France and the U.S. So, if you’re like me, don’t forget to bring bug repellent everywhere!

Fontainebleau was actually one of the A&A class periods, so my excursion experience was a little different than those who weren’t in that class. Once we got there, we were all given a little introduction about Fontainebleau’s history. Afterward, my class stayed with our teacher while the other students had free time. It was just like any other class where she walked us around and told us about the different things we were seeing. She was also mindful of the time and made sure to give us enough free time to look around a little and have lunch before we had to leave. I wish we had been able to stay in the town longer because there was so much to explore!

Overall, I think I was able to make the most of my program and had a great time! The only things I would change are very minor details that ultimately didn’t affect my study abroad much. It’s all about finding a rhythm that works for you and making sure you have some days to rest, too. Spending a summer in France with ISA gets a 10/10 in my book!

Abigail Villacrusis is a student at Virginia Wesleyan University and an ISA Featured Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Paris, France.