Students interested in speaking with former students of IFE’s programs should contact IFE, indicating their desire to be put in touch with students in a certain field, or students from a particular university, or any other wishes.
What students have to say about their experience in an IFE Field Study and Internship program
(These comments are drawn from anonymous student evaluations)
– The preparatory session (classes at IFE)
– Internship and research
– "Did I meet my goals?"
– "What did I learn about myself?"
– The program overall
The preparatory session
– “Over all I found IFE to be a unique, well-organized and exceptional program. I’m happy that I chose it and I know that my level of French is already much better because of the classes and the homework.”
– “I like the fact that we take courses in many different subjects—it’s a way for everyone to be the ’specialist’”
– “The courses were much more work than I expected, but I learned a lot more than I expected.”
– “A great way to learn about French history from a French perspective”
– “Mr. Cauchy is an incredible professor! I found his classes interesting, well-organized, and at times amusing too.”
– “A lot of information in a small amount of time; All of the republics to learn about!”
– “It was interesting to see the effects of the past on the present. The professor was very good at explaining the French perspective on international relations.”
– “The visits to the museum of immigration and the Belleville neighborhood were interesting.”
– “These first five weeks at IFE have really prepared me to immerse myself in French society. My French language comprehension has greatly improved.”
– “The course was very useful for familiarizing myself with the French press and current events in France. And the discussions and presentations were useful for practicing my French.”
– “Dutch is a lot easier to learn than I thought, and in Brussels its very useful to know a “beetje” of dutch.”
Internship and research
– "I hope that the energy cost calculator I created helps the ministry achieve its goals."
– "I was able to create partnerships with cultural organizations in Paris that have been useful to my host organization (theater)."
– "My paper will be useful to my host organization."
– ""I have a better understanding of what life as a researcher in a lab is like. I had a chance to see the challenges and rewards of a career in science."
– "I spoke a lot of French at lunch."
– "I was pushed out of my comfort zone by working in a part of Paris unlike anything I’ve ever experienced."
– "I have learned about the major differences between the American and French education systems."
– "I helped my department make multiple sales. My internship in an international multi-lingual workplace was exactly what I was looking for."
– "My internship studying French food markets was definitely a unique experience and I am very happy with how it turned out in the end."
"Did I meet my goals?"
– "Completely! I’ve gained work experience I have already put to use on my grad school application, and I’ve improved my French."
– "My French as improved drastically and I’m very comfortable in a French working setting in terms of culture and language. I’ve also learned a great deal about the French government and economics research."
– "I’ve met the objectives of exploring a different echelon of environmental work, improved my economic analysis skills, and learned to approach environmental issues from another perspective."
– "My main goal of integrating myself into the theater and being capable of communicating has been met."
– "I feel great about the risks I took reaching out to all sorts of people."
– "I have done everything I hoped to do and more."
– "I have learned alot and am more fluent in French as a result of working at ... "[public health organization for young people].
– "One of my biggest objectives was to practice my speaking skills, which I most certainly fulfilled during this internship whether it was with the teachers in the teachers lounge or with students in the classroom."
– "I hoped to gain insight into the world of European soccer and to improve my French comprehension and speaking. Through this internship I have achieved both of these goals."
– "My French has improved, I became a part of my team at work and I learned to do new things."
– "I have a much clearer understanding of French environmental law and the legislative process in general."
– "To a large extent I have met my objectives which were to gain fluency in French and to soak up the French lifestyle in order to better understand it."
"What did I learn about myself"
– "I’ve learned that voicing your opinion, even if you’re the outsider, is extremely important and can bring a lot to the conversation/situation.
– "That I shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes."
– "I learned that I have many irrational fears and that I am capable of overcoming them."
– "I’ve grown up a bit and I think it will be hard to go back to living on a college campus."
– "I’ve learned that I really need structure (whether self-imposed, or given) to thrive in a work setting."
– "I’ve learned that I could be good enough to work in two of the most important museums in Paris."
– "If I work up the courage to say something more often I might just make a difference!"
– "That I enjoy working at a think tank and with people who share my passion for learning and discussion."
– "That it’s completely acceptable to be very assertive in the workplace. This was something I really had to work on but I know that I have gained crucial skills."
– "That I can improve my French with constant practice once I get over my fear of making mistakes."
– "I can’t wait to be a teacher!"
– "I realized that no one can help you unless you ask for help."
– "I learned a lot about my ability to work independently."
– "I have learned how to accept constructive criticism."
The program overall
– "Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! I learned so much and this has influenced my decisions about the future because now I would like to come back to Paris for a Master’s degree."
– "Attitude is everything, and any success is a success!"
– "Thank you for all you do!"
– "I can’t possibly fit into these five lines how much I’ve learned this semester!"