ESC Lille

While the language classes offered through the school have been a joke, fortunately the kind and helpful nature of the French people, especially the "Lillois," has enabled me to pick up French on my own in social situations.

If you come to any French university with high expectations, you will undoubtably be very disappointed. It is a very particular mentality and way of life, and there is nothing that will ever really prepare you psychologically for that. Your best bet is just to expect that everything will be horrible and go wrong, because that will happen. However, if you keep that mindset, you will never be disappointed and really will have an awesome time. It is a great place and a wonderful city, but you will miss out greatly if you insist upon expecting things to be just as you are used to.

Beware the EDF (electricity) bill! They estimate your consummation every time they bill you, so you usually get money back at the end of the year even though the sum you have to pay might seem extraordinnary at the time. Find the closest LIDL in your area, learn to love it and make it your best friend. While not as glamorous nor with a very extensive product range, you will save incredible amounts of money on your weekly food expenses (a 3 euro lasagne is big enough to feed one person for 2 days. i rest my case!)

good luck... you'll need it!

Best place to meet other internationals? Definitely Cafe Oz near Pl. de Peuple Belge. Otherwise, Latina Cafe in Solferino or Tir na nOg at Pl. Phillipe Le Bon are also good bets. Star Lunch on rue Molinel (right across from Gare Lille Flandres and beside Cash World on the right) offers awesome food at really cheap prices and the best customer service by a couple who speaks fluent English, Italian, French & Arabic and give students LOADS of free stuff!