316 reviews
4.16 / 5 based on 316 reviews
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Roberta G
Housing
Type of housing: private residence
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: same place
Why?
Being a private residence, there were different types of people ranging from businessmen to students. As well as enjoying this mixture, it was a very modern and nice building. While having common rooms meant great opportunity to meet up with people, I still had my own place being a studio flat with its own kitchenette and bathroom.
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Personal comments
The university campus was not too bad but I still preferred the private accomodation. It was more expensive but with the help from the government (most people can apply for it), it turned out to be quite a good bargain.
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Roberta G
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
There is a part of Lyon called "vieux Lyon", that is the old part of the city. It is a nice area to go to both during the day and at night. I must say that at night it was really a charming place with the old streets, welcoming cafes and pubs. This was definetely the area where we spent most of our night life.
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Roberta G
Academic
Course recommendations
French universities put a lot of emphasis on practical case studies which I find a good way to grasp concepts and put them into practise. I followed mostly marketing courses and they were all quite good. As far as languages were concerned, the compulsory French as a foreign language subject was excellent. We started from the basics and as the weeks went by we covered all the French grammar. The teacher was obviously very prepared and used to teach to foreign students. I cannot say the same for the languages standard taught to French pupils. I studied Spanish during the entire period and learnt very little.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
There should be more interaction with professors and more support. They did not pay much attention to foreign students.
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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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Roberta G
Overall
I wish I had known...
Strathclyde University prepared students pretty well before going abroad, especially regarding the country of destination. I wish I had had more information on courses. At the end of the year everybody has to do a report on the city and university they go to in order to help subsequent students in settling in better. The report of the people that went to Lyon III the year before me was very useful and I hope that mine was very useful too to other students going the following year.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I would recommend this university as I would any other university. At the end of it, is what you make out of it that counts. I would say that there could be more friendly and approachable universities than this one.
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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
When you go to France you must take out with you several documents as they will definetely come in useful, whether you have to open a bank account or apply for financial help towards your rent. You have to realise that you will come across some bureacracy that you are not used to in UK. Going to another country can be difficult for some people, especially if it is the first time you live abroad and the culture is quite different from yours. However, if you are patient and realise that it can take some time to adapt and you are aware that customs and lifestyles are different everywhere in the world, you will have an excellent time. One last piece of advice, which I think is the most important, do mix with local people or at least try to stay with other international students with whom you do not speak your native language. Everywhere I have been I have seen this happening: Italians mix with Italians, French mix with French and so on. I know it is easier to mix with people from the same culture and background as yours but it is a real shame to waste your year like this. You will regret it when it comes to speak that foreign language, or when you travel around the world and do not have a friend to go to. Just make the most of this experience. It has been the best in my entire life.
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Roberta G
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
Living standards in France are very similar to UK so I did not find much difference in terms of expenses. It also depends on where you stay, therefore Lyon being a big city you would expect it to be more expensive than smaller towns.
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Telephone, Travel, Food, Overall, Housing:
was the same price as at home.
Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
I did not experience any financial surprises and unfortunately neither cost-saving tips.
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Roberta G
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
At the beginning it was really difficult to understand French people. I would say that after a couple of months I started feeling quite confortable. By the end of it I was totally fluent and understood every single word, including typical expressions and slung. I remember listening often to certain words and thinking I will never use them. Well, already after a few months I was using them without even realising it.
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