<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I went to speak to my study abroad counselor a year ago about my options and University of Paris came up. I researched and found that Sorbonne 3 works with film students--my major is Film. And coupled with my experience with the French language (3 college level courses, 2 high school), I figured that this would be a good fit for me.</p>
<p>However...</p>
<p>I have been hearing mixed reviews lately about the school, and experiences with it. Let me specify that I don't really care about its appearance unless there's a scary pest control issue. But if it's a "I showed up and all my classes were screwed and I had to sleep on the couch at the Embassy for 2 weeks (as someone else told me)." Then I'd like to know.</p>
<p>I'm predominately gathering information to make certain that this school is a good fit for me before I drop $2k+ to go there and wish I'd never been.</p>
<p>For those that'll say, "Go for the experience". That's great, but I can backpack through half of Europe for cheaper than tuition plus expenses for 6+ months, and get the same "experience". I want to make certain that I'll be SAFE, and not in some perpetual nightmare due to red tape.</p>
<p>I dont really understand what you’re asking, but there isn’t a University of Paris because it separated into 13 separate universities in the 70s. French universities are notorious for not having great facilities, but the Sorbonne is an excellent university.</p>
<p>And who told you could backpack through most of Europe for 6 months on $2,000? That’s laughable, perhaps a month if you stay in really cheap hostels… but 6?! LOL.</p>
<p>I’m trying to get people’s experiences with the school who have either gone themselves, are going, or know someone who’s currently there/has been.</p>
<p>I’m aware that they’re separated, but they’re billed as the “University of Paris” here. (My study abroad adviser who coordinates everything didn’t even know what they offered until I looked it up and translated it from French.)</p>
<p>My <em>semester</em> will last 6 months if I go, and my <em>tuition</em> is $2k. If I planned to backpack I’d spend a month going throughout Europe.</p>
<p>Backpacking through Europe for a month and living in one country for 6 are two entirely different experiences. Sorbonne has a great reputation; when I was studying abroad in Bordeaux, the second semester, all of the first semester Paris students came to Bordeaux to finish the year. They all seemed to love it.</p>
<p>Hey Americangeiko!</p>
<p>I’m an american getting my degree in france. I just finished my second year at Paris IV, but I did a semester at Paris III before switching majors (and thus schools.) so I can tell you about my experience.</p>
<p>The most important thing you have to know is that French schools are not American schools. They have different pedagogy, they are run differently, they are funded differently… there are very few similarities, and you have to know that going in our you will be very frustrated. </p>
<p>First of all, the universities are nearly free and subsidized by the government. That means that they do not have as much money as american schools to spend on the buildings and student services. A lot of the buildings and classrooms are old. There are no student advisors. There are few student organizations…</p>
<p>This however has no effect on the quality of education. I have been very pleased with my education at the sorbonne. HOWEVER - it’s not the same as in the US… there are no round-table discussions, often classes are done lecture-style. In film this might be different since it is such a hands-on art (I assume). But be ready for a pedagogic shift. It’s not bad… it’s just different. But I promise that the teachers are very good. And Paris III is the branch of the sorbonne more focused on the fine arts… the have theatre, film, communications, etc. So the student body is also very interesting.</p>
<p>As far as you being safe… there is absolutely nothing unsafe about the French schools… at all. The buildings might not be pretty, but they are clean and safe. I’m not sure why your friend ended up spending two weeks in the embassy… that has nothing to do with the school as the school doesn’t give you housing. You have to get housing on your own. </p>
<p>As for the experience, it’s true that studying abroad will be a very different experience from backpacking. If you are truely interested in the culture, in the people, in making connections and really living in france, understanding france… there is no better way than studying here. As Hugo said: "</p>