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Studies > France > Cergy-Pontoise > EPSCI > Review by Vanessa K 
41 reviews
4.29 / 5 based on 41 reviews
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Vanessa K
Hanzehogeschool, Hogeschool van Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Overall
I wish I had known...
How difficult (impossible) it would be to get a job next to studying in France. They all want you to work fulltime, whereas a student can simply not spend 40 hours working, and as much studying.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Academic reasons
4
Culture
4
Costs
3
Activities
3
Campus life
3
Party / people
3
Weather / location
3
Personal recommendation
Save up beforehand, and simply go with the flow. Go to the parties, and enjoy the social life as well as studying.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
4
Traveled
3
Improved language skills
4
Met people from other countries
4
Became more independent
3
Partied a lot
4
Experienced a change in life
4
Advanced my studies & career
4
Final comments
n.a.
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Vanessa K
Hanzehogeschool, Hogeschool van Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Academic
Course recommendations
Overall the courses given are very good, although there are some teachers who seem determined to make life difficult for the students the courses are well given, and in a fun and interactive way.
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My academic experiences
Quality of courses
Variety of courses
Access to resources
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Don't plant so many exams in 2 weeks. Even if you study ahead this does not make it easier. Two weeks no sleeping kind of wears you out.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams at end of course
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Overall
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Vanessa K
Hanzehogeschool, Hogeschool van Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Languages
Language of instruction: French
Was learning French a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my French
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
Social
Educational
Administrative / Institutional
Overall
Personal comments
It's sometimes hard to get to know the local students, but just keep trying and they will appreciate the effort you make. I think I have learned a lot of the language while there, but it goes so graduately that you hardly notice.
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Vanessa K
Hanzehogeschool, Hogeschool van Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family<br> Personal savings<br> An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Food simply is a bit more expensive than where I normally live, and the same goes for the housing. As for travel, I went home a couple of times, plus that in my home country we get a public transport card from the government as students, in my host university I had to finance the travel from home to school myself.
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Overall, Travel, Food, Housing:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife, Telephone:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand text books
Second-hand household items
Computers / Internet
Administrative
Money from home
Personal comments
If you can avoid opening a bank account, do. A french bank account simply costs money, and although they advise you to open one, I could've easily done without.
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Vanessa K
Hanzehogeschool, Hogeschool van Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Housing
Type of housing: University residence
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: same
Why?
Most of the exchange students stayed in these residences and that gives a very good atmosphere. The prices were slightly high, but the room you get is really good.
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Personal assessment
Cost
Facilities
Location
Cleanliness
Space
Personal comments
I think that except for the high prices it was excellently arranged. Oh, don't get confused by the administrative pile you have to fill in at the beginning, that's simply the French way I think.
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Vanessa K
Hanzehogeschool, Hogeschool van Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Nightlife, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Activities
Nightlife
Travel
Overall
Personal comments
The activites organized by the student associations of the school are great, shouldn't miss even one. Best part: a beer is so cheap that even the poorest student can afford it.
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