109 reviews
3.86 / 5 based on 109 reviews

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0
bootsy
,
Language, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Overall
I wish I had known...
that there was nothing to worry about, it would all be fine!
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Academically good, excellent opportunity for learning language, activities good but absolutely no night life on campus. Accomodation at uni not to everyone's taste but all who wanted found flats in town.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Make the most of the mountains and go ski-ing, I would kill to be so close again! Good for visiting in summer too apparently. The grand prix is good in the summer term. Make the most of the time there, it will go quickly, relax and enjoy!
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bootsy
,
Language, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
I did spend more than at home but only because I did a lot more. Drinks in bars are the only things that are more expensive than in England.
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Telephone, Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Food:
was the same price as at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
I didn't like the service I got from Credit Agricole, the administration was time-consuming and most contact with them was frustrating. But this may not be the same with other banks. Do check out costs if you open a french bank account.
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bootsy
,
Language, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Academic
Course recommendations
Translation with english department very good - teachers competent and enthusiastic. History was challenging but very useful in terms of language. learnt a lot.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Uni life ressembles school a lot more in france, the teacher talks and the students write rather than the discussion based and smaller group seminars that are more current in england. But generally the courses were fine, it was the administration that was the problem. Registering process complicated when you have first arrived in a place and you are left to your own devices quite a lot although that was the fault of my home university as much as pau.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course

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bootsy
,
Language, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Languages
Language of instruction: French
Was learning French a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your French?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Learnt loads. Could have learnt still more if had spent more time with french people and less with english but it is all part and parcel of the experience. do try as hard as you can to make some real french friends as it is worth it and not just for the language!
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bootsy
,
Language, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Although all the english speakers go to the garage and the boulevard there are a lot of other bars in pau. there is no excuse for only going to 2 bars all year! it is not a place for hardcore clubbers but some nice places to go. there are lots of sports and theatre stuff to get involved in at the uni and a good way to meet french people.
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bootsy
,
Language, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Housing
Type of housing: On campus
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: On campus
Why?
Because it's SO cheap and it means that then you have money for doing other things. But houses are more sociable as can have parties etc.
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Personal comments
Not up to standards of english halls especially cooking facilities which were poor but room fine.
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