Audencia Business School (ESCNA)

When your packing your suitcase just before you start your trip remember to bring a few photos of home. This isn't necessarily to prevent homesickness (although it does help) but it's also to show the people abroad how you live in your own country. And don't forget to bring some gifts to give to your new friends before you return home.

Unlike most foreign students at this school I already spoke French fluently. Therefore there wasn't much of a shock in that sense. However, I learned about the differences between French Canadian and the European equivalent. Also, with the help of my Italian friends at school as well as a few trips to Italy I was able to better my italian.

If you intend on travelling around Europe get a rail pass before leaving home and if you're travelling through France get the "Carte 12-25" it can cut the cost of train tickets in half. Also, make sure you bring 8 or 10 photos (passport size) with you before you go because almost every institution you'll deal with will require one. Something that is very important, make sure to have access to two accounts, if for some reason you lose one of your debit cards or one of your banks has a computer problem you find yourself strapped for cash in a foreign country.

While there's very little organized by the university regarding accommodation, the school itself is in a very residential neighborhood so finding a place to live close to the campus isn't terribly difficult.

In general the best soirées were organized by school student groups. Even though there doesn't seem to be much in terms of nightlife in the city of Nantes a few places are incredible. Don't miss La maison, Le remorqueur, Le lieu unique and La cigale. Even if you get bored with Nantes Paris is only 2 hours away by TGV!