316 reviews
4.16 / 5 based on 316 reviews
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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: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Since I already spoke French fluently before I went, my main goal was to perfect my skills in terms of pronunciation and grammar. I learned a lot of slang and idiomatic expressions which is something you don't learn from books
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Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant<br>
Other
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Phone calls are more expensive in France than in Canada. I also had a mobile (which I don't normally have at home), so that also contributed. I went out more often in Lyon. Travelling - well, I did as much as I could, including seeing more of France than most French people have, and a one-month adventure in Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland.
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Overall, Travel, Nightlife, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Housing:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
You can get student discounts almost anywhere, be sure to bring your card. An interail pass is essential if you plan to do extensive travelling in several different countries. Get the 12-25 student rail card for train discounts within France. Tuesday night is cheap night at the movies. Go to the CAF and get your housing subsidy - it usually is worth one third of your total rent.
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Overall
I wish I had known...
That it would be so hard to come back to Canada afterwards. That very few of my friends would understand that or want to hear about my time in France. Coming back really is much harder than going away in the first place. It's sometimes hard to believe that year wasn't just a dream...
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I really liked this University, its courses, extra-curricular activities, etc. The people at the International Relations Office are really helpful, and they often organise activities and trips just for exchange students.
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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
Bring your sense of adventure! Débrouillez-vous is basically how things work. A lot of the time, people won't be able to give you the answers you're looking for. Sometimes they will be able to help you find the person who has the answers, sometimes not. You really have to be independent and think for yourself. Be prepared for a different style of life - the French really have their own way of doing things. It's hard to meet French students (most of my friends were other exchange students in the same situation as me), but persevere and you will.
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Academic
Course recommendations
The optional courses are undoubtedly the most interesting. Lots of language courses, for nearly every language imaginable!
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Very hard to talk to professors. You have to flag them down between classes, and even then they're not always happy to talk to you and answer questions.
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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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Housing
Type of housing: A room exchange
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
It would be nice to have more space than a studio apartment offers, as well as a full kitchen.
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Personal comments
They give a listing of recommended residences run by the private sector and do their best to give you your first choice. All the residences that are recommended meet certain standards and are very good for students.
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Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Travel, Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Get a pass'culture if you like the arts, it gives you access to 6 shows at selected venues for 60 euros. Get a 12-25 train pass to travel within france. We liked the Johnny Walsh's Irish pub, the Hot Club, Mi Barrio and La Marquise.
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