ICAM

Places not to be missed: Citadel Lille zoo Palais des Beaux Arts Wazemmes market What's up (salle d'escalade/wall- climbing) à Wambrechie Night spots - Snooker, Network Café Events - La Braderie de Lille, Nuit ICAM, French apéros

The cost is cheap considering the proximity to the residence, the breakfast offered, and the on campus bar. The residence is not too crowded but also houses enough people to interact with and experience the French univeristy culture.

When in an exchange student program, don't hesitate to mingle and interact with the people. You gain new friends, interesting insights into the culture, and tips on where to go and what to buy. Furthermore, it is an excellent venue to promote your own country. You become an ambassador of your country in small things such as studying hard, participating actively in student activities and projects, sharing your beliefs and principles, and correcting wrong notions about your country.

The host university and its staff and students were very accomodating. Since they knew I only spoke and understood basic French when I arrived, they tried to communicate with me in English. It was pretty difficult for them but they saw it as an opportunity to also improve their skills. Now that I have improved my French communication skills a lot, they often speak to me in French and correct my errors or offer better ways of phrasing my ideas. Sometimes, they speak to me in English to practice their skills also. In fact, I have arranged English-French lessons with some colleagues. Once a week we take meals together and allot half of the time to speaking in English and the other half in French. We not only enjoy each other's comâny, but also improve our communication skills.

To get the best bargains, I asked for advises from my French classmates and fellow Filipinos who have been living here for a long time.