172 reviews
4.20 / 5 based on 172 reviews
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Sumit K
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Biochemistry, Undergraduate, University Agreement
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: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
The experience was simply amazing. I had taken up the exchange program with an aim to improve my French, but my success exceeded my expectations.
The students and teachers understood English but by the end of the year, it was easier explaining somethings in French than in English (which I am well versed in!).
Also, there was a huge exchange student community which was also determined to learn the language which helped a lot in interaction.
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Sumit K
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Biochemistry, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Other
Other sources of funding:
Government assistance<br>
Other
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Tourism in europe took priority. hence to save for tourism, I had to cut down on excess expenditure in food and telephone.
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Travel:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife, Overall:
was the same price as at home.
Telephone, Housing, Food:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
The social secuirity was compulsary unlike in India and cost us a significant amount of money. Also the residence permit had to be paid for unlike previous years.
Otherwise there were no particular surprises.
The transportation is expensive so I would suggest buying a second hand bicycle. The university resterauent offers a variety of option sets with respect to the timings of meals hence it would be best to choose the set which suits you the best ( eg meals on weekends or no meals, breakfast included or excluded etc. )
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Sumit K
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Biochemistry, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Overall
I wish I had known...
No. There were a few minor surprises but it they were certainly not unpleasant. It was a thouroughly satisfying experience
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The location of the university is a bit out of town hence there is not a lot of life which might put off some people, but the town center makes up for that loss.
The people are nice, the quality of education is good and the city is beautiful. And there are plenty of activities in the university to suit everyone's interest. So it is a nice place to be.
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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
A bicycle would be a good idea to save some money. The ski slopes are closeby, so have a go at skiing when you are there.
A railway student card gets significant discounts so get it made. And then visit Paris in the summer.
Geneva is next door so have a look into it.
And if someone is planning to travel europe then a Eurolines bus pass is the best way to proceed. It is cheap and the trip is very adventurous.
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Sumit K
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Biochemistry, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Academic
Course recommendations
The courses are in French, hence it would be a good idea to get an idea of the language before coming to INSA.
The courses are well taught with an eye on engineering applications. The exams are also prepared with the same perspective. The courses deal with a wide vareity of topics and for exchange students, who can choose from any department and any year, it offers a wide vareity of options to choose one's interest.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I would suggest to pay attention in class and to be up to date with what is going on in the course. The exams are not challenging, but expect an understanding of the subject. Regular study was more effective then last day preparations especially in the department of Biochemisty.
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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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Sumit K
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Biochemistry, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Housing
Type of housing: On campus
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: On campus
Why?
In spite of the fact that the quality of the rooms counts a lot, but living on campus offers the oppurtunity to get involved in many activities after university hours.
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Personal comments
The housing at INSA varied in quality according to the price unlike in my university where it is the same for all hostels. Our lodging was free, and having been alloted the lowest quality rooms was a dissapointment. But because of the excellent location of the rooms and the satisfactory maintainence of the hostel, there was little else to complain about.
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Sumit K
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Biochemistry, Undergraduate, University Agreement
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
Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
The best sport is definitely soccer. But there are plenty of tennis courts as well, so the oppurtunity should'nt be missed out.
The student bar K-fet, which is inside campus is a nice place to be at specific special occasions. Otherwise there is a popular nightclub next door called 'Oxxo' which has free crepes on wednesdays. However the definitive nightclub is in the city center called 'Ayer's rock'.
Lyon has its share of events...the Boujolais festival happens in october when the 'noveau' Boujolais arrives by ship in lyon. Another event to watch out for is the 'Fete de lumiere' at the time of which the whole town is bathed by light with special events at the town center.
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