Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? In my opinion, it's the best when you're studying at the university.It makes your life easier, as everithing ( classroom,library,gym,other students...) is close.

Personal comments:
The majotity of the residences are really good, because they've been built during the last years(the university is quite new). You can profit of big appartements with bathroom and kitchen. The only problem is getting one if you didn't make a reservation during may or june. Many students have had to live in campings and hstels before finding a definitive place. The best option are the residences built with the help of the State ( those who belong to CROUS and so on). Here in France, renting an appartement with other mates isn't usual. Students prefer leaving on their own. In additio, every month, France gives to everybody a quantity of money, different according of the situation of each person, named CAF, for helping to pay the accomodation.

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

Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

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

Personal comments:
La Rochelle is by the sea, and has a very important harbour. So it's a good opportunity to practise sports like windsurfing or learning to sail. The university gives you the chance in collaboration with the school of sailing of the city.

Course recommendations:
It's necessary to take some time to choose the subjects. The first two weeks, the best an international student can do it's meeting the teachers in order to explain them why he or she is at this university, the type of convention he or she is in ( Erasmus,etc..) and to knox how the course will develope. Of course,it's worthy assisting the courses. Even if you have to ask other students to lend you their notes, to get a complete comprehension. And overall, because it improves your language skills (listening to a native speaker, taking notes and increasing your vocabulary in the field you study).

Personal comments:
I would like the teachers to know better the differents agreements between their university and other ones abroad. So they could be aware of the situation of each student when arriving here. Most of them accept without any problem the programmes of international exchanges. But for a few of them has no sense receiving international students for just one academic year.That's why speaking with them before the beginning of the courses is so necessary.

Language of instruction: French

Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant

Other sources of funding:
Family

Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits:
Because when I'm in my country4s university? I live at home. So it's much cheaper. And also, because France is more expensive in general(telephone, food, nightlife) than Spain.But on the other side, it's not much more expensive and you learn to economize in order to profit the chance of being in a foreign country( making voyages, going out, meeting people,all in all having new experiences).

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

I wish I had known...
That you must profit every single moment. Time runs without you can notice it.

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