Université des Sciences Humaines (Strasbourg II)

As an Erasmus student I found the academic system complicated and I ended up doing a mix of courses in English and French which I wasn't really meant to do but it worked well in the end and fulfilled my european credit commitments. I felt the four hour, one question written exams to be excessive and felt that they weren't a good way of examining us.

Don't try to take courses that are above your level. Many people took third year courses because they were in their third year at their home university, then found the courses were too difficult. The professors of the smaller courses tended to be more accomodating of international students.

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I found it much more helpful to only take first and second year courses my first semester. I also studied Dutch and really liked the dept.

All my exams were at the end of the semester, you really have to stay on top of your studies but it isn't so bad.

Frustrating for me because the admin is pretty confusing but you'll probably be allocated a parent (a french student) who will help look after you and show you the ropes in the first week. Most people become good friends with their parents, others choose to do their own thing thats up to you. But either way they will be there to help, show you around etc. Ask them for how to enrol in the differnt courses because the course secretary is pretty crap. (but Mme. Harster is quite nice and will always have time for you.)

... not enough time to mention :P

Everything hinged on the final exam -- more feedback during the year would have been better

If you are in Lettres Modernes, choose your classes carefully and make sure you allow enough time to change if you want to, because if you're stuck with a teacher you don't particularly get on with or the course content doesn't suit you, it'll be better too late to change if you leave it too long.

I would choose courses where there is more 'controle continu', because it's very difficult to revise everything for one exam at the end of the year.