109 reviews
3.86 / 5 based on 109 reviews
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gem21
Academic
Course recommendations
There's a free French language course available to all Erasmus students which involves one 2 hour class per week, usually 5-7pm. Some of the classes can be a bit tedious but it's a really good opportunity to meet other erasmus students and for 2 hours you HAVE TO speak french.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
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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gem21
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I generally spent more than I would do at home as I wanted to make the most of my time abroad so tended to go travelling somewhere most weekends. Drinking is pretty expensive but eating out costs about the same as at home.
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Food, Travel, Overall, Nightlife, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
If you're planning on doing lots of travelling you can buy an under-25's card from the train station that gets you upto 50% discount on any train journey.
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gem21
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: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
It's very easy to fall into the trap of only hanging out with english speakers as Pau is full of british, american and australian students. But if you make the effort to get to know french students in your classes or who live near you, your french will really benefit from it.
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gem21
Overall
I wish I had known...
Had I known more about the the halls of residence I'd have opted for an apartment, but I survived!
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Pau is in a great location - near the mountains, near the beach. The town is fairly quiet but the social opportunities are there if you make the effort.
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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
Have fun, travel lots, speak plenty of french and snap up any opportunites you're offered. You may not get the chance again.
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gem21
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
Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
UPPA doesn't have a student's union so don't expect any on-campus nightlife. In town the main bar's in Pau are the Garage - Irish bar - (the Kitchen next door does good, cheap food), the Gaulway (also Irish), Cafe Russe and other bars along Boulevard des Pyrenees are always popular, but a bit more expensive. There are some clubs outside of the town which is okay if you befriend french/ fellow erasmus students with cars. One big tip: don't rely on taxis in Pau - there's one taxi firm and on average 2 cabs after 11pm for the entire town!
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gem21
Housing
Type of housing: halls of residence
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Foreign students in Pau tend to be placed in the worst halls where cooking facilities are few and far between.
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Personal comments
The halls are really convenient for the uni and supermarket, but the facilities within the halls themselves are minimal. At £80 a month you can't expect much, but 2 cooking rings between 50 people can be extremely testing.
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