41 reviews
4.29 / 5 based on 41 reviews

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Simone M
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
The student residence is near to the campus and the costs are favorable. Although Cergy is not the nicest place to live the community of foreign students compensates a lot.
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Personal comments
For foreign student of any partner programm of EPSCI or ESSEC accommodation is organised by the administration. There is of course the possibility to choose an accommodation by own but this is quite difficult. Cergy is just half an hour by RER from Paris but living there is very expensive.
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Simone M
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Nightlive in Cergy is reduced to organised parties by the university (which are marvellous!!), a few pubs, a nightclub and a few nice restaurants. The school offers a booklet each year where all(!) places are described and quoted. It is useful to have a car in order to go to Paris and there you can find all kind of entertainment!
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Simone M
Overall
I wish I had known...
Information about Cergy and how it really looks like.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Regarding the quality of my studies I would recommand it to everybody. The equipment of ESSEC is very good and there are a lot of student association. The sport facilities are excellent (there is nearly no sport unpossible) and the students pub Foy's is a nice place to have a pint or two. The school is the top business school in France and has an important alumni network. Over 30% of students are from foreign countries and therefore the athmospere is very international.
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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
If using Thalys ask for a "Mini" price. This means you pay less but you have to fix when you want to return in advance. No possibility to change traveling hour.
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Simone M
Academic
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Students should use the first weeks to visit Paris etc. because later in the semester a lot of group work and essays have to be done. Our second semester is more comfortable and we have time to enjoy events etc.
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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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Simone M
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: No problems in any areas (including slang)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I was able to perfect my french language knowledge. The school offers a huge range of language courses. I choose Spanish and Russian in addition. Some courses are in English which gave me the possibility to improve it, too.
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Simone M
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
none
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
Nightlive in Paris is very expensive (drink and enterance). The costs for accommodation are also higher than in Dortmund and telephone from France Telecom is unfortunately not very cheap.
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Housing, Overall, Telephone, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Travel, Food:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items