Erica, from Tulane University in New Orleans
Erica, a 3rd-year student from Tulane University in New Orleans, decided to spend a semester in Paris. Although her adventure was off to a rocky start, she tells us how MBA Institute came to the rescue…
“Before I entered the MBA Institute, my first week in Paris was, in every way imaginable, a nightmare. I was at a school where I was considered merely a number. Advisors offered little to no support, my classmates were unhelpful and unfriendly, and the school’s unwillingness to help me find housing left me in a dorm with no electricity and no one to talk to. As I reached my breaking point, I contacted Stephen Muse from MBA Institute Study Abroad Program. Stephen’s kindness and generosity stretched so far beyond that of my other school, and I knew right away that I needed a more welcoming environment. I arranged to meet with Stephen and some of the other international students later that night, and immediately fell in love with the fun and relaxed attitude that MBA Institute and its students had. After spending only fifteen minutes with this new group of people, I decided to transfer schools.
Over my four months at MBA Institute, I met and became great friends with dozens of French, German, Austrian, Chinese, Venezuelan, Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian students ! Unlike other schools, MBA Institute mixes students together, allowing everyone to meet other people from around the world, not just France. I’ve made friends who have planned trips to come visit me at school in the U.S, and I also have friends from the program who are now studying abroad at my university, Tulane. One of my French friends even spent New Years with me in America, and I spent a weekend with him in Northern France and Belgium ! The friendships that I made in Paris and at MBA Institute are much longer lasting than four months.
Our program coordinator, Stephen Muse, went above and beyond all of our expectations to make us feel at home and safe while in Paris. Stephen planned dozens of cultural events throughout the semester, introducing us to Parisian culture and traditions. From a trip to Versailles, to the Perfume Museum, the cultural events always brought everyone together for an entertaining and educational experience! Coming from a French school without an advisor or figurehead, I was and am very pleased and excited to have had someone who cared about our happiness as much as Stephen did. Without his help and support I would not have been able to have the wonderful semester that I had in Paris.
The experiences that I have had with MBA Institute have been nothing but wonderful and welcoming, and the staff is incredibly accommodating and friendly. I would highly recommend the MBA Institute Study Abroad Program to any students who are looking for an enjoyable, educational, and relaxed semester in Paris."
Tags: semester in paris
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