Paris

Paris, one of the world’s best known and adored cities certainly lives up to its name. All the clichés are there, from the accordionists, the businessmen running with baguettes down the boulevards, to the disgruntled strikers, the city is a unique chance of a life time that should not be missed. I went to Paris-IV La Sorbonne University which offers a diverse, if bizarre, selection of subjects- I chose Philosophy and History.
Obviously studying gives you the opportunity to learn plenty of new facts, words, and other things in between.
The first semester was hard, arriving from a little Welsh town to a city of 2.5 million (with 10 million in the suburbs) is a shock but with time I adjusted just fine and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of city life. Living abroad puts things in a different perspective and I am glad to say that I have had this opportunity. I have met some wonderful people from all over the world and have not only improved my French but also experienced so many new things that you just don’t have in any other city.

Leszek Ekert

 

For my year abroad I decided to do the Erasmus university exchange. I spent one semester studying Langues Étrangères Appliquées at the Sorbonne Paris IV.
Living in Paris was a valuable experience to me. Surrounded by famous monuments, galleries and historic places I felt I was participating in something special. I tried to make the most of my stay in this busy capital of European culture. Countless hours of sightseeing, hundreds of coffees drunk in Parisian cafes, delicious crêpes au nutella eaten ... Art exhibitions, museums, concerts, theatre performances. I love the fact there is always something interesting to do!

The university I went to was Sorbonne IV. I think it is important to be aware that it is a hard work. There is no ‘tarif réduit’ for Erasmus students. I had to do exactly the same job the French students did. I was a little bit surprised because lecturers were not as helpful and friendly as they are in British universities. But fortunately there are student organisations that are willing to help foreign students. It is also the best way to meet other Erasmus students from all over the Europe and explore this fantastic city together.

I think Erasmus in Paris was a great challenge to me. I managed to overcome all French bureaucracy obstacles. I feel more competent and responsible. What’s more I know I can manage on my own and I feel comfortable to live in one of the busiest cities in the world. My French improved a lot. I got to know some amazing people and places. No doubt the time spent in Paris was one of the most exciting moments in my life.

Gosia Florek

I spent my time as an assistant in a lycée outside Paris. I hadn't given a preference for a region in France in my application for the British council and was very happy to be so close to Paris. After staying in a hostel for two weeks I was very lucky to be offered a flat at the lycée for a minimal rent after it was vacated by the Spanish assistant. This made it easy for me to live happily and enjoy my free time. With the money I saved I took a life drawing class at the École Normale Supérieure des Beaux Arts, a French course at the Alliance Française and enjoyed so much of what the city has to offer. As a Joint-Honours student studying Fine Art I used the opportunity to go to the galleries and museums. I went drawing every week with a Russian friend who was also learning French.
At the beginning of the year invitations were posted to all new language assistants in the Paris area inviting them to a society for foreign students run by a group of slightly eccentric elderly women. There I met some great people and at the beginning when you know nobody, it was great. For the first few months I was mostly socialising with other people learning French and by the end I had some great French friends, one of whom I stayed with for most of the summer in the south of France. I lived next door to the Italian assistant at my school which was fantastic.
My advice going abroad would be to pretend not to be shy or terrified and talk to everyone at your school, join any groups on offer, get to know your town, stay during the holidays, keep a sense of humour and you might not want to leave at the end.

Iona Hughes