Why choose France as an exchange destination?

Ekaterina Kolokolchikova, a student of Business and Management faculty, is sharing her impressions on studying at ESSCA, France.

Hi, I’m Katya and I’m currently on exchange in a lovely town called Angers in France. My university is called ESSCA (École supérieure des sciences commerciales d'Angers). I am a 1^st year master student at Strategic Management and Corporate Governance programme at HSE, and in France I am specializing in International Business. The connection between the programs is not obvious but it still exists ;)

So why France?

To begin with, I have already visited France both as a tourist and as a student. My love to all French started in my 11^th grade when I went to Paris for the first time with my parents. It was wonderful and unforgettable. That is why when I had a chance to study there when doing my bachelor’s (at State University of Management), I did not hesitate.

I studied at a port city La-Rochelle (if you read or watched Three Musketeers the name would ring a bell). I was 19, left my parents for the first time and La-Rochelle was near the ocean. It was an unforgettable experience both in terms of life and studies. I went to La Rochelle Business School and we were taught how to open our own business. The first thing that stroke me when studying in a foreign land was highly-qualified professors who used colorful presentations as well as case studies and other useful teaching methods. Many of them were invited businessmen who knew well how to apply theory to practice. I don’t know how it is to study at HSE on a bachelor’s programme, but after my home university I was happy to meet such specialists who could talk about complicated subjects in such an engaging way. I spent in La-Rochelle the whole year and left with a great level of spoken English, new academic knowledge and unforgettable impressions.

When I joined HSE I already knew that I would try an exchange in France by hook or by crook. You could guess from my current post that I managed to. So based on what I am observing now, is it really worth going? The answer is – certainly yes.

ESSCA is a school of business. It also provides qualified professors, presentations, case studies and a group work, but not the ocean! Anyway I’m not as excited about the ocean as I was before. Maybe it’s because I learnt a lot at HSE (like how to study day and night), maybe because it’s my 2^nd study experience in France, it’s hard to say. What I can say for sure is that I’m enjoying meeting people from different countries who represent different cultures and values. It’s incredible how different our lives can be. One can never understand that without living abroad and having friends from Mexico, Germany, the USA, Netherlands, Thailand, Chile, etc. So I realized I came exactly for this:  to look around, to learn and to communicate. Noone will teach you communication unless you take effort and live far from home for a while.

I would like to sum up my long and a bit vague account in a Q&A format:

Will France suit you as an exchange destination?

YES! IF:

- You are not afraid to leave home, your apartment, your dorm, your country;

- You speak English/French well

- You are interested to learn a different lifestyle, and people’s attitudes;

- On the streets, in the shops and cafes you are not afraid to be spoken to in French (the French are terrible snobs, they adore their language and don’t like to speak English);

- You do not judge lazy people (French students I met were extremely lazy, they don’t like to spend their time on studying, entertainment is preferred);

- You do not judge individualists. (The French, as most of the Europeans, are self-centered, they take care of themselves first. You will feel that as soon as you arrive in France. There is no point in waiting for a hug, a smile or any sort of care. You’re on your own. If you are up for a more affectionate culture, want friendliness and laughter – go to Spain, Italy or Mexico).

- You are a foodie. France is the only country with 26 Michelin star restaurants.

- You are not afraid of gaining weight. All my friends who went for an exchange gained minimum 7 kilos and I wasn’t an exception. Not I see the trend and can control myself ;))

- You like looking at beautiful people. French men and women (but not girls) are very good-looking and stylish;

- You want to travel (It’s several times cheaper to travel from Europe);

- You want to learn the language (It’s a perfect opportunity to improve your English or French);

- You are not afraid to change your worldview (I can assure you the trip WILL change it).

 

I think that might be the end of my little introduction into the French way of life. Of course it’s up to you to decide, but I say, don’t lose the opportunity that can turn out to be life-changing.

Bisou Bisou (kisses in French)

 

Ekaterina Kolokolchikova