Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? Close to the university and most of the other foreigners live there aswell. I'm talking about Ango by the way. It's not exactly Chateau Ango, but it's pleasant enough. I used to get up at 8.25 for 8.30 classes. Sorted. Bit of a trip to the town centre though, it must be said.

Personal comments:
If you have the cash, stay in Arc 4. There's a swimming pool, sauna, loads of foreign students, and it basically looks like a hotel. It's not that central though, and ikt was out of my price range. For the budgeting student, go for Ango. On campus, cramped and noisy enough, but good value for money after the government allowance is taken into account. (130€)

Describe host city: Students equally interact with the local and student community

Activities, Nightlife: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Personal comments:
If you're Irish, or even British, stay away from O'Kallaghan's- it'll be the death of you. Velvet is a little sweatbox. La Bidule is even worse. La Luna can be good from time to time. Go to the parties organised by the school's student organisations- they're the best. But once again, if you're Irish or British, be aware of your threshold- open bars are a plently and beer is not on offer- I found myself in a rough state the next day many times. Don't expect many pubs to be great night spots- the French aren't really into them. The foreigners are on the other hand. If you want to mingle with the locals, you'll have to eat out, or be interested in football.

Course recommendations:
The UPEM courses are an absolute joke for anyone with even a mediocre standard of french, and better still for those who aren't really bothered, many are offered in english. If you want to learn french, take courses with the french students, that is from the grande école programme. Some can be tricky, many teachers don't make allowances for foreigners, but with the smallest amount of effort you can pass. And a pass is alll that the french students are looking for anyway. I guarantee that the average will never be above 12 out of twenty. Unless you really like accounting, stay away from compta générale. Oral and written exams- the average this year was below ten and all my mates from the football team failed. I passed, by the skin of my teeth. 4 to 6 hours a week, mon and fri mornings, my colleague from Dublin nearly killed me when I told her to take it. Content is simple, but the written exam is simply too long for the french, never mind a foreigner. Fiscalité is no picnic. Strat Fi, 2nd year is apparently difficult, as is controle de gestion 2. Its 1st year equivalent is a joke for anyone that uses his brain. I did FA and got 19. Stay away from the language courses in second term if you're there for the year. Headwreckingly simplistic. FCP in final term is supposedly a joke- no exams- they even go camping. Finance de Marchés is handy enough for a foreigner. Regardless, don't worry about it, choose what you want, and look at it the night before and you'll be fine. There's no great depth in any of these courses. 'On étudiera la veille mon pote' is a phrase you should hear often enough.

Personal comments:
The program for foreign students is not streamed. Many foreigners that only started studying french a couple of months before their arrival are put in with others that are practically fluent. If you are part of the latter category, you'll soon be bored. On the other hand. If you take courses with the french, you'll have final exams- so when all the other foreigners are getting drunk, falling in and out of bars and doing god knows what else, you'll be pissed off. That's the price to pay though if you are determined to raise your level.

Language of instruction: French

Main source of funding:
Family

Other sources of funding:
Government assistance
An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits:
Nightlife in Dublin is unbelievably expensive in Dublin, I can assure you. An open bar night out organised with the school will cost you at most 20€, and you drink as much as you want; In Dublin, every pint costs 5€, and cover charges are not that low. Basically, in Dublin, we don't make allowances for students. Anytime there is cheap drink on offer, you can't get served at the bar, it's simply too crowded.

Travel, Telephone: was more expensive than at home.

Food, Overall: was the same price as at home.

Nightlife, Housing: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
Yes- that I would never have the chance to do it again. It's a great experience- don't waste it.

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.