79 reviews
4.03 / 5 based on 79 reviews
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Brian E
Student life
Describe host city:
Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Les Bains Douches, and so many others that I can't count.
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Brian E
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Personal comments
They have very good facilities. But since I'm an independent person, I choose to live on my own.
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Brian E
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
none
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
Food is better than anywhere else, but maybe a little more expensive in some cases. Housing in Paris, although not more expensive than New York, but is quite expensive. Overall, expenses are the same as in NY.
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Food:
was more expensive than at home.
Travel, Telephone, Housing, Nightlife, Overall:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
As with everywhere else, it's better to do some research before going out or make a major spending.
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Brian E
Academic
Course recommendations
Courses can't be better. They are extremely well planned and at the highest academic standards.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
No, this has been my best academic experience ever.
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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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8
Brian E
Overall
I wish I had known...
Although this university has a very strong reputation in the arts, I wished I knew better how good it was before going there, so I wouldn't have had any doubt and spent so much time in selecting between this and Paris 1. But at the end, I'm very glad to have chosen Paris 8. Also, I would have prepared myself more to be at its standards right from the beginning. The intellectual level of this university is extremely high, so you better be prepared for it.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I really loved my experience there as an art student. The Philosophy, Fine Arts, and Digital Arts departments of this university are closely tight to each other. So, if you have an interest in these three fields at the same time, this is definitely the place for you.
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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
The University of Paris VIII is one of the best, most intellectual, most avant-garde, and most liberal universities in the world. It has always been and still is at the forefront of all the new ideas in philosophy, arts, and new technologies. I can confidently say that it has been one of the universities that has affected the most the contemporary ideologies of the world. Just look at all the names of the people who have taught or are currently teaching there: Gilles Deleuze, Michel Foucault, Roland Barthes, François Châtelet, Hélène Cixous, Jean-François Lyotard, and the list goes on and on. It's a university that values individuality, and prepares you to think and be able to conduct your research and work on your own. The professors are there to provide you with excellent guidance, but they will never take your hand to lead you in every step of your adventure. You have to have the ability to find your own way and pursue your own ideas. You have to be creative and always think of inventing something new. As for its Arts program, you can't find any better anywhere in the world. It excels in all areas of fine arts and digital arts and combines the two at their best.
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Brian E
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: No problems in any areas (including slang)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
In France, it's always better to speak French. Although, people are very helpful and will help you even in English in your everyday life. But to study at the university, you definitely need to speak fluent French, both to be able to enter the university and to follow the courses.
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