ESSCA reviews

ESSCA set every international student up with a bank account at Société Générale, in rue d'Alsace. Unfortunately there was only two SocGén auto-teller machines in all Angers that would accept the bank card for cash withdrawals. French banks such as SocGen are fraught with niggly fees which are over the top, be prepared. Save by withdrawing large lumps of cash from your home bank (through Cirrus/Maestro) at the ATMs. Definitely apply for a visa longer than 6 months and apply for the 'Carte de Sejour'. This is essentially residency status, and entitles you to receive rent subsidy from the government through the Société Sociale (the "CAF"). But expect bureaucratic bungling and maybe even an unexplained rejection of your application. Again, ESSCA will help you do this. You should definitely go to the city hall of Angers and apply in person for a 'Carte Partinaire' which will entitle you to half-price bus tickets, cinema tickets, etc; a good saving. Anf get the SNCF '12-25' railcard for cut-price train tickets.

There is a second hand shop called Eurocash (near the Carrefour on the number 10 bus) which sells second hand household goods such as televisions etc.

Budgeting self expenses is very important,go for major shopping once in a week inspite of shopping everyday,maintain diary and records of each expense weekly and last but not the least decide self needs and priority before shopping.

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Don't use french bank accounts, the fees even for inner-france transactions or payments are enormous compared with Austria, where you nearly py nothing for regular bank activities.

Whent o study abrod almost not posible to save, because everything is new and i was trying to get known everything. And everything costs.