Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? Because my priority was to save money on room and board to spend it on travelling and activities such as sports.

Personal comments:
They are old, the showers and bathrooms are shared. It is pretty clean but I've seen better in bigger university dorms. All in all, it was an experience where I had to laugh or I was going to cry! The neighbours were ethnic like me, so that was great and I made a lot of friends. So yes, if I had to do it again, I would.

Describe host city: Student life dominates the city

Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
There was this reggea spot called Bar Sextius I believe that was alot of fun. Someone else mentioned Le Mistral but I found it overpriced and overrated. To be honest there are a good amount of clubs open until 2am, then everything shuts down. Realize too that alot of the clubs are run by the mofia so clubs change hands in mysterious and often brutal ways. For example, one owner was killed and the club set on fire one night I was in town. Basically, ask the students who live there at the moment. Regardless, there is alot of nightlife to be found and enjoyed every night of the week, Just remember, pre-drinking is key as drink can and do get expensive.

Course recommendations:
I was in a relatively structured program for language learners so my slelction was limited. If I were to do it again I would have taken more french courses so I could have taken courses with french students at the university. On that same note though I viewed studying abroad as more of a cultural life experience so wasn't as interested in the academic side as much as immersing and enjoying life.

Personal comments:
The system is a bit different from the anglo system on several differnt levels. Grading, teacher student interaction, and general course structure. I for one enjoyed the academic structure. Teachers are more critical and openly corrective of students, there is generally less work, and in my case less tests than at my home university. Suggestions.. I really dont have any.

Language of instruction: French

Main source of funding:
Personal savings

Other sources of funding:
Family
Government assistance
A private grant

Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits:
After all the i's were dotted and the whatnot, I spent roughly 14,000-16000 for the ten month period which included everything from my flight etc. It was expensive not doubt, but in reality I could have avoided a few thousand. Myself, like many other students spent an exuberant amount of money the first two months going out and wasting money on needless activities because we were unfamiliar with the system in France. Had I known what I know now I am certian that I could have lived on substantially less. ALso realize that there are financial aid for students in France like the CAF that would have aided in the financial burden. In short Aix is expensive, but well worthwhile, and there are many students who live off of 600E a month and do fine. I just had an inclination to travel all over western europe and go out 3-4+ times a week...

Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone: was more expensive than at home.

Food: was the same price as at home.

Housing: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
If I had known how much I would spend on phone calls, I would never have brought my mobile!

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!