147 reviews
4.15 / 5 based on 147 reviews
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jo w
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
none
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
In general cost of eating and drinking out was cheaper than in Edinburgh
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Overall, Telephone, Travel:
was the same price as at home.
Housing, Food, Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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jo w
Academic
Course recommendations
I had to do English Literature as it was part of my course in Edinburgh. It was ok although a slower pace than what we'd been doing in the UK. Some of the teaching was based on class quizzes which seemed a little juvenile. We also did translation classes which were good.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I think it can be quite hard for the local students to mix with you. Although one problem with the nature of what I was studying was that the FRench students studying English all wanted to practise their English so it was hard to practise my French. I did however make lots of French friends but outside of the University and I still visitthem.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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jo w
Overall
I wish I had known...
How large ammounts of tequilla adle your brain! But seriously I think that you have to remember that although France is only across the Channel there are some subtle but important cultural differences- especially being a woman in the South. Things that were normal for us - skirts in nightclubs weren't really the done thing over there we came to realise. Some are seriously disturbed and forget a foreign woman isn't just a play thing.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I don't really feel that the experience was greatly to do with the univeristy except that it allowed me to come to France to study but the fun experience I had was down to the people I met outside of the Unviversity and getting to know the other 5 people from my course in Edinburgh,
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
At the end of the day whereever you are you have to realise that you need to make the most of it. Not worry about what you're missing out at home but what your friends are missing out with you. A year abroad can seem like a long period of time but it's nothing so enjoy it to the fullest!
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jo w
Languages
Language of instruction: French
Was learning French a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my French
How much did you improve your French?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Nothing can beat living in a place for learning a language. I was lucky to make French friends - I think often the foreign international students naturally have more in common with each other than the locals and don't get to practice the local language or another language if you are English.
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jo w
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I like to have my freedom. I like to live somewhere that I have chosen. It's certainly easier to pick university accomodation - and can be a useful way of meeting people but in Montpellier I wanted to be in the centre and I already knew some people from my home University there so wasn't too worried about friends. I wouldn't rent off the same person as she wasn't very pleasant, though.
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Personal comments
I saw where some of my friends were staying in student accomodation. It was just a small room. Nothing special. There were restaurants on site. I don't think student accomodation in France is as 'user-friendly' as in the UK mainly because many French students go home at the weekend. Apparently the heating in the halls was turned off at the weekend.
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jo w
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Nightlife, Travel, Activities: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Montpellier is just one big student party. Drinks on the terraces especially in place Jean Jaures were usually a precursor to going out. We'd usually go to the clubs open into the small hours a little outside of town, either with friends, taxis or hitching. The clubs all used to be free so it didn't get too expensive. I think that has changed now. In town we'd go to Le Fizz- a tiny place that always amused us. I think that we just had a great time because that's what we wanted although I think it would be hard not to have fun in Montpellier. Fete de la Musique june 21, beaujolias nouveau night the last Thursday in November, Bastille day 14 July are all great national parties. In MOntpellier there is also a dance and an arts festival. Operas and Ballet can be seen at the Opera building. Sitting out on the Place de la Comedie is great for daytime drinks and the compulsory people watching. The square behind the post office building and the other little one behind the inside market building are good little finds too,
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