<p>I am a Bowdoin fanatic, having wanted to apply there ED but my parents were worried about finances so that ship won't sail basically.</p>
<p>I am still applying to Bowdoin and a number of other schools, but something interesting came up during a family "We're worried about your academic future financially" discussion. I spent a year in France during my sophomore year of high school (I am now a senior), and universities in France are essentially free. One must of course take into account the costs of living (especially in Paris), the books, food (no cafeteria!), etc etc</p>
<p>And I know a degree from the Sorbonne would carry a lot of weight and be in general an interesting experience, but how many Americans actually obtain a bachelor's degree (or whatever the country calls it, in France it's a licence) in a foreign language/country? I know some opt to go to England or Australia for their studies, but just how feasible is all this?</p>
<p>After 3 years at the Sorbonne (university in France is 3 years) I would be 100% bilingual, or very close to what a native could do. Currently, I speak French fluently, but fluently in the sense that I can basically be fine in any daily situation and I can converse freely. However, the French spoken amongst teenagers and the French written/spoken in college textbooks/papers/lectures is completely different.</p>
<p>Is the major cut in finances worth the initial struggle of probably just passing at the Sorbonne? I'm sure after the first year it would be smooth sailing, but in any case, any help would be appreciated. </p>
<p>Also, if I do indeed take this French path if you will I will ultimately obtain an MBA in the United States to throw some American on that plate...</p>
<p>Also, if this helps you, I sincerely plan on spending the rest of my life abroad...most likely in Paris. </p>
<p>I would like to work in international business.</p>
<p>The Sorbonne offers a degree in "Langues Etrang</p>
<p>I think the Sorbonne experience sounds marvelous-- but just to be safe I would suggest you call a few of the B schools to ask them how they view applicants from the program you intend to do.</p>
<p>If you plan to live in Paris ultimately (I lived there after college and would love to return some day) is the degree from the Sorbonne the best? Or should you investigate Sciences Pol, or other schools?</p>
<p>I am like you in fluency-- street french, slang. The literary tenses and highfalutin jargon of academic french would stump me too. But you could always get a tutor to make sure your first year would not overwhelm you.</p>
<p>Maybe jump on the International Board and see what ideas the french kids have.</p>
<p>About ED, the only way you can back out is if you can't afford to attend. You might want to check with the school to see if this policy is determined by FAFSA, or if your parents can say, "no," to the final financial aid package. Maybe you can go to Bowdoin ED, just check!</p>
<p>If you feel like you can feel at home in a foreign country, by all means, go for it. I'm assuming that you're assessing your fluency well enough to know that you can get by the speaking part, at least, without any trouble. Once you're immersed, I think, it will come more naturally.</p>
<p>There's a girl graduating with our class this year who came from France and joined our class in the middle of 9th grade; She was good in English then, and is even marvellous now. On top of that, she continued her study of Spanish, even though the class (of course) was now being taught in English instead of her native French. Our English books included Shakespeare and Ibsen and Solzhenitsyn, and she got through then like the rest of us. I think that if you're really dedicated, like she was, you'll be able to get through university in France.</p>
<p>I called MBA Schools (Berkeley, Wharton, NYU, Columbia, Harvard, etc) and they essentially told me it wouldn't hurt me or complicate the admissions process at all...</p>