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Land:
Frankreich

Universität:
IDRAC Paris

Semester und Studiengang:
6. Semester Bachelor International Management

Aufenthalt:
wintersemester 2016

Über die Universität:
IDRAC Paris is a private university situated closely to the city center with the Arc de Triomphe and the famous Avenue de Champs Elysees in walking distance. As it is situated in the basement of a residential building you will probably pass it on your first day like we did. In the same building other universities as ILERI and IEFT are situated.

I stayed at IDRAC Paris for two semesters, as I was part of the first Double Degree Programme between the THD and IDRAC Paris. The programme I attended was Business and Marketing. I had about 15 courses per semester, each counting for around 2 ECTS.

Most of the professors have a high level of expertise, as they already gained experiences in a certain fields or are still working in it. Therefore most of the lectures were enriched with experiences, real business cases and practical examples.
The administrative staff is in general very competent, always there to help and very kind. As we were the first exchange students ever at IDRAC Paris, there was sometimes a lack of organization and guidelines. This led once in a while to confusion and misunderstandings. All in all, they always had an open ear for us and did their best to help us. I guess it is just a French thing that everything needs a bit more time :)

Betreuung vor Ort:
Before our stay in Paris, the staff of IDRAC provided us with around two webistes to look for accommodation in Paris, which were not too helpful. Other than that, the staff was very helpful in other matters. We found our first accommodation via Airbnb. Instead of paying a daily fee, we were able to agree on a monthly price for the apartment with the owner. In the second semester I found an apartment through a Facebook group. There are various ones about housing in Paris, where people almost daily post and offer their rooms or apartments for short or even long-term.

Be aware that rents are tremendously high in Paris and prepare yourself for small apartments or rooms with a high monthly rent. To get some financial support to pay those high amounts, the French CAF (caisse d'allocations familiales) financially supports students and families. Depending on the amount of rent your paying, they can pay up to one third of your rent. But that also depends on the financial situation of your parents and it is not working when you live in a shared flat. The best is to ask a French person or even the staff at the university to help you with it, as the entire online application process is in French.

To receive that money, you will need a French bank account. Some universities have a collaboration with French banks, which makes the process very easy, but not so IDRAC. Fortunately my landlord helped me with it.

Tipps:
Tips if you want to go to IDRAC Paris:
- you should like group works and continuous exercises during the semester
- you can work very well on your own as well
- you enjoy to be with international students and you like to get to know other cultures (if you choose the English courses)
- it is hard to get under French people, as they tend to stay in groups
- if you want to improve your French, do the French courses, there you also get mixed with regular French students

Tips for living in Paris:
- inform yourself about the CAF
- Facebook groups can be very helpful to find an accommodation
- if you are going to use the public transportation system often, get a Navigo card and a monthly subscription, if not buy a carnet (a set of 10 tickets) as it is cheaper than buying single ride tickets
- use your free time to explore the city and to get lost in the streets of Paris