The accommodation through ESSCA was still going through teething issues in 2002, still learning how best to manage it. They had never before accepted so many international exchange students into ESSCA in one go. ESSCA manages apartments and liaises with all the landlords on the students' behalf. The cost of 305 euros (plus 45 for utilities) seemed okay value for some apartments, but poor value for others. Possibly this was because the apartments were very different, and the different rents 'averaged' by ESSCA for ease of admin. The type of apartment you get is pretty much down to luck. Some people were extremely lucky (those in the pedestrian zones of the centre of town). Others found themselves on dark streets on the edge of the main part of town, or in dirty and/or poorly maintained buildings. ESSCA will help in cases of problems with the apartment (plumbing, heating, electrical, etc) but the response times could be slow (depending on what's wrong). Getting accommodation in Angers without the help of the school can be fraught with hassles, it's hard work if your French isn't good. The local students have a hard time finding decent accomodation so, as an exchange student, it's best to let ESSCA help you.
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