Education: Paris, France (BDZ)

Education in France is decently similar to education in the United States.  Students attend primary and secondary schools, called "lycées", and after, can choose to pursue higher education at universities.  Paris is home to many of these universities, notably the Sorbonne, Sciences Po, and Dauphine.  After talking with a few locals, I found that unless students are accepted to elite French universities, they tend to stay close to home and attend a local university, something much different than the United States, where students often live in one part of the country and pursue higher education in another.  Another fact I found is that French employers often complain about the preparedness of graduates of French universities when entering the workforce.  Employers have said that many graduates lack basic job skills involving technology, for example.

Since our program here in Paris in condensed into just 8 weeks, to allow for an internship, daily academic life is very lively and stressful.  Our classes are taught entirely in French by professors who come from other French universities, and are all two and a half hours long, twice the duration of classes at Allegheny.  Also, because it is an accelerated program, the workload is very intense which does not allow for a lot of free time during the week.  Although the program is very challenging and stressful, I am learning a lot and my French has improved drastically.

French, and European students can participate in a study-away program called Erasmus, named after the ancient scholar.  In this program, students from one European country can study in another EU country for a semester, and many students I've met have told me it is immensely popular and rewarding.    It is something as well many Europeans recognize as almost necessary to do while completing university studies.  Our program here is run through Boston University, and is organized so that students will take 12 credits (3 classes) for 8 weeks, and then complete a 4 credit, 7 week, internship with a French company.  As I said before, because it is a condensed and accelerated program, it is very work heavy, with typical assignments including presentations called "exposés" and many papers and tests.  Now that I've experienced a new system different from Allegheny, I can take away several things and bring them back to Meadville with me.  I can say I have worked harder than I ever have at Allegheny, and also in a different language, so my work ethic will provide me with the determination I need to excel in my last year, and really CHOMP THAT COMP.