IESEG School of Management, Paris, France Exchange Report

Transcription

1 IESEG School of Management, Paris, France Exchange Report CHUI Chun Sing Fall 2013 Exchange

2 Name: Chui Chun Sing Major: Finance and Operation Management Exchange Period: 2013 Fall IESEG School of Management A. Monthly activity log i. August 2013 I took the flight from Hong Kong and arrived Paris at 24 August Usually the international flights arrive at CDG airport. I took underground to go to the city centre directly from the airport, for around 10 euros. Beware that some trains may skip some stations. It will only show in the platform, but not inside the train. Paris underground network is also very complicated like London, took a map for underground before you get in. Unlike Hong Kong, they do not have the map inside the train. IESEG School of Management is just outside the station of La Defense, which is west of the Paris. If you lucky enough to have a buddy (which many people do not have one), you can have pick up service by the international club of the school. They will send you the to ask your preference before it. The security in Paris is much worse than Hong Kong. Beware of your bags in every moment, especially in underground. And avoid hanging out alone at night to avoid robbery. ii. September 2013 I have taken 26 ECTS credits, and often do not have classes. Many of our UST courses are equivalent to their master courses, which is usually run in intensive schedule, only last for 1 week and have lesson on every weekday morning. So that we often have weeks that do not have lessons. We have

3 been to Provence to look for Lavendar, as well as Italy and German for beer festival, but we couldn t see lavender at that time. If you want to see, you need to go there from June to August. German beer festival is also very popular and you need to reserve flight tickets and accommodation at least one month before. For Italy, the food is much more cheap and tasty than France, which is very good value of money. We have been to Rome, Florence, Sicily, as well as Napples. iii. October 2013 In this month, as we are getting more familiar with more international students, we went to bars and clubs frequently, nearly once every two days. But it is better for someone from France to bring you, because in many local clubs people only speak French. The entrance fee and the wine is much more cheaper than it is in Hong Kong. Besides, Paris is also a very beautiful city, with many historical buildings and attractions. For traveling, we have been to Northern Europe like Norway, Amsterdam, Scotland, as well as Sweden. Don t go there at winter, except you are going to see northern light, as they only have few hours sunlight every day, and the temperature will be too low for traveling. We have also been to eastern Europe, such as Prague, Poland, and Hungary. Very lovely countries with cheap living expenses. iv. November 2013 I have intensive lessons on 3 out of 4 weeks in this month, so did not really have much time to play and go traveling. I have lessons on every weekday morning, and have loans of presentations and assignments. And as I skipped quite many French lessons before, I had a hard time on preparing my French lessons presentations and examinations. We all have the option to choose taking French lesson, which equivalent to 2 credits in UST. But it is usually not listed on the course list offered at the beginning. We still had some short weekend trips, but more to the nearby cities, such as Rouen, Lilie, Belgium, as well as Spain. The views are very good and the goods are cheap too.

4 v. December 2013 This was basically my last month in Europe, as I left at around 10 January. After finishing some final examinations, we had several gatherings for farewell each other. Beware that you better reserve at least 2 weeks before you leave France, in order to finish all things you need to do, such as closing your bank account, terminating your mobile phone number, your electricity bills, etc. because of their low efficiency. Seems that is not popular which makes you very hard to contact them if you left France. In this last month, we have been Swiss, Romania, Turkey, as well as Greece. The views are very good. We have been to Estanbul, as well as Alps in Swiss. By the way, many Europeans will back to their home countries in Christmas. Therefore, if you want to go travel around Christmas, you need to book the air tickets very early in advance.

5 B. General Exchange Information 1. Visa Procedures There should be a briefing sessions organized by the French consulate, at around May, which will tell you about the details visa application procedures. I strongly recommend you to go to that session, as their procedures may change every year. Generally, you need to reserve 2 sessions with them, preferably at least 2 months in advance. They usually have delay on issuing visa, which is typical French style. According to them, you need to delay your trip if you cannot get your visa before departure date. So just apply it as soon as possible. 2. Orientation Activities From 26 August, the whole week is just orientation, they will introduce you all the official things you need to know and deadline. There are also many gathering events, such as boat trip in River of Seiene, and city tours, by the international club so that you can getting know with each other. I advise you to join those events as the price they offer is actually very cheap for Paris. You can meet many different exchange students in those activities. And do remember to know some French students! It is very likely that you need to get help from them, as most people in France do not speak English. (Finding a French people who can speak English may even harder than finding a people who can speak French in Hong Kong!) 3. International Service & Activities The international club is quite nice and they offer wide range of activities and assistance to exchange students. Do remember to keep track on them for their trips and parties! Which are in very low price. The committee of the club are also very interesting and nice, which can definitely help you to enjoy good time in France. 4. Accommodation At the beginning, IESEG will give us a form to fill in, to select our preference

6 of housing. However, their spaces are very limited, and they will not notify you if you are not shortlisted. So it is more secure to find houses by yourself in advance. (Around 3 months earlier) The French consulate will also provide you several useful website to find accommodation. For me, I lived in a private landlord referred by IESEG, which is called Phythagore Grand Arche, or just PGA. I strongly recommend you not to live in there. The only benefit is just 15 minutes by foot from the campus, and you can know quite many exchange students in there. However, the value of money is very low, their prices are very high, with dozens of hidden charges, it is even cheaper to live in hostel for 4 months. The equipment of rooms often has problems, and their gym room is just 1/4 of the one in hall 9. Worse more, they need you to clean everything before you check out, and with very high standard on cleanliness, unlike the hall in UST. 5. Course registration They do not have system like SIS in UST for exchange student. You need to send an to a lady from administration office to do so. The schedule, course list will be available on orientation week. Send the to that lady 2 days before their add drop deadline. One special thing is that, you can choose either Lille or Paris campus for IESEG when you submit application form in UST. There is no restriction on choosing which one, but the living expenses in Paris is much more expensive, the campus is much smaller, fewer students, as well as fewer choices of courses. 6. Teaching & assessment methods Most teachers in IESEG can speak good English. Their teaching methods are comparatively more interactive that it is in Hong Kong, with more group projects and presentation. They seldom have examinations and assignments. However, it is very difficult for you to skip lessons, as each course only equivalent to 1-2 UST credits. 7. Sport & Recreation facilities There is a sport ground and swimming pool in Courbevoie, which is nearby

7 the campus, but not in the campus. You can play various of sports over there. Most students go clubbing and parties at night. 8. Costs This is my expenditure for your reference: (Assume 1 EUR = 10 HKD) Type Amount in Euros Rent 800/month Hidden charges of the dorm 700 Transportation 20/month Return flight tickets 800 Subsidy by France government -800 (They default at the end) Travel 3500 Living expenses 2000 Other Health & Safety We must apply for health insurance at the beginning which cost you 198 euros. With this insurance, you can see doctors in a much cheaper price. (But still more expensive than Hong Kong) At least 10 students had been robbed or stolen, only in first week of our arrival. So be careful at any time. 10. Food Go out to eat is very expensive in Paris, especially in tourist region. It is cheaper in the canteen of the school, although it is still quite expensive. Cheapest way is to cook by yourself. 11. Transportation You can take metro and RER to go near anywhere in Paris. They also have apps in Andriod and iphone for you to check their map and departure time. Taking trains in France is very expensive, compare to other countries. Budget airline like Ryanair, EasyJet, WizzAir often even cheaper than trains. 12. Climate

8 It is often rain in Paris. At the winter, it get dark from 4 pm, and sunrise after 9am. This year is not so cold, Paris did not snow at all from September to December. I heard the first snow was around mid of January. 13. Communication As mentioned before, most French people do not know, or do not want to speak English. It is better to learn some basic phrase beforehand so that you can speak some French to them before asking them questions, like Bonjour, vous parlez anglais?

9 C. Best Practice of Host University IESEG will help you to find an internship if you speak fluent French. The international club takes care of the exchange students very well. D. Checklist of Items to bring 1. Passport and passport photos 2. Laptop & USB and adaptor 3. ATM & Credit Card 4. Travel Guides 5. Copies of important documents 6. Camera 7. Medicine 8. Umbrella 9. Slippers 10. Coats If more information is needed, get my contact from SBM Exchange Team by ing at Enjoy your life in IESEG School of Management!