How I went to university in France: experiences and impressions

I would like to share my personal experience of going to university in France, which was a landmark event in my life. My choice was not accidental, as I have close family ties with this amazing country: my father ran a business in France, and I studied French from early childhood. Therefore, the decision to continue studying abroad was a logical step in my educational journey.

Preparing for enrollment

To begin with, I graduated from a gymnasium in St. Petersburg, where I studied French. At the end of 11th grade, I successfully passed the exam, which allowed me to get a DELF diploma, which confirms my level of knowledge of the language. This was an important step towards university, as I had a lot of documents to prepare. The first document was a school certificate with grades 10 and 11, as this is a key criterion for French institutions when admitting students. Secondly, having a B2 DELF diploma also played a significant role in the admission process.

Letter of motivation and resume

Another important requirement was to write a motivation letter in which I shared information about my professional goals, achievements and study plans. In this document, I argued to myself and the committee why exactly I should study at the chosen university. The final part of the application package was a resume, in which I stated my education, work experience and skills that I had acquired during my studies.

Organization of enrollment

Entry was organized through Campus France, an institute based in St. Petersburg that helps students who wish to study abroad. This organization represents the interests of the French state and has offices in cities such as:

• Moscow
• Saint Petersburg
• Samara
• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk

Detailed information about its activities can be found on its official website.

The process of submitting documents

The application process took place through a specialized platform where I uploaded all the necessary papers: passport, certificate, DELF B2 diploma, motivation letter and CV. I had the opportunity to choose three universities in different cities of France, but I had to choose one faculty. I prioritized the universities, prioritizing Nice, then Lyon and Strasbourg. If I was admitted to the university with the highest priority, the next institution was not considered; otherwise, the paper assignments were automatically sent to the other institutions.

Admission to the university

Eventually, I was accepted to the University of Nice - Sophia-Antipolis at the Faculty of Language, Literature and Civilization of English-speaking Countries. It was important for me to go to Nice because I knew it had a friendly atmosphere.

University atmosphere

The university is an educational institution with an atmosphere reminiscent of the peace and comfort of a village house; students are surrounded by peace and comfort. A B2 level of French is required for successful study at this university, as most of the lecturers are French-speaking and lectures are conducted in French. If the language level is insufficient, adapting can be a real challenge.

International environment

It is worth noting that the University of Nice is not as international as many other educational institutions; students from France predominate here, although you can also meet Russian-speaking students from Ukraine, Belarus and Chechnya. Overall, the experience of studying and enrolling in France has been an outstanding experience for me, opening up many new horizons and opportunities for development.

Study at the University of Nice

There were three students from Russia on my course, besides me. The University of Nice, which is also known as Sophia-Antipolis, was founded in 1965 and is located on the picturesque coast of the Côte d'Azur, in the heart of the Sophia-Antipolis Technology Park. This park can be compared to the famous Silicon Valley in the United States, as it is a center of innovative technologies.

Registration and costs

Registration fees are due at the beginning of the school year and are as follows400 eurosand to obtain health insurance, the cost of which is as follows200 euros. Thus, it takes approximately 1.5 years to complete all the necessary documents.600 euros.

University atmosphere

The atmosphere at the university and Nice in general is very friendly and open. There is no excessive arrogance, and it feels as if you are in a cozy village, as it is at your grandmother's house. There is wonderful nature all around: green hills, manicured gardens and serene cats strolling nearby. The atmosphere is conducive to relaxation. The teachers also contribute to this environment - they are calm, helpful and willing to communicate.

Interaction with teachers

One day I was sitting with my friends at recess, and a teacher from Canada came up to us. He actively started asking questions about our life, genuinely interested in how life in Russia is, what we like and what we don't like. As a result, we had an interesting conversation, which left a pleasant impression.

Perspectives on education

It is difficult to make unambiguous conclusions about the prospects of the educational program. The university is often praised and placed on high positions in various ratings. However, according to my observations, it does not stand out much against the background of other educational institutions in France. Everything depends on the student's desire and his/her aspiration to study.

Campus

The campus also has a pleasant atmosphere: in the dining hall you can hear live jazz tunes from local musicians. The university is located on a small hill and is not large in size. The Faculty of Humanities has four main buildings:

• lecture hall;
• Amphitheater (where theater students study and concerts are held);
• library;
• dining room.

The student residences are a fifteen minute walk from the main university building.

Student Services

There are small stores on campus offering takeaway snacks and on-site dining options. There are also various sports facilities for students, including specialized tennis courts and a general training room. Signing up for physical education classes is done in advance through a special app.

Peculiarities of the French education system

The education system in French universities differs considerably from that in Russia. Firstly, many educational institutions are located separately from the hustle and bustle of the city. Secondly, there are fewer formalities in the organization of the educational process and the daily life of students. For example, in Russia, a pass is required to enter a university, whereas here there is no such practice, and there is no security. Laboratories and computer classes are open to all students, regardless of their main specialty, and everyone can freely use the university resources.

Campus rules

There are certain rules on campus, such as:

• a noise ban after 11:00 p.m;
• smoking ban;
• prohibition of alcoholic beverages.

These measures help to create a calm and comfortable environment for students to study and live in, which has a positive impact on the learning process and maintaining a good quality of life on campus.

Unfortunately, compliance with the rules established at the university leaves many questions, and almost no one is held responsible for violations. Nevertheless, the institution actively organizes a variety of events for students, at which famous lecturers speak, and students of the theater faculty show their report performances. Moreover, students studying at our university are given the opportunity to attend cultural events in Nice for just5 euros. Be sure to read reviews from other students who have chosen to study abroad.

Studying abroad

The discussion about moving to the Czech Republic to study is relevant as some sixth form students are not deterred by this. It will also be useful to consider grant opportunities for free education in Finland. Special attention should be paid to the topic of emigration to France, which covers:

• choice of educational institutions;
• finding a place to live;
• employment issues for young people.

University canteen

A special mention should be made of the university canteen, located in a cozy garden with a beautiful view of Nice and the sea. The quality of food here is quite high - a buffet is organized for students. Prices are quite affordable: for a full lunch a student pays only5 euros. Periodically, jazz musicians perform in the dining hall.

Cafes and bars in Nice

In Nice, cafes and bars take center stage in the life of the city. This French resort attracts many travelers, which makes life here quite challenging. Eating establishments and stores are always crowded, and the streets are alive with sounds and joy in the evening. It is especially difficult for those who live in the old part of Nice, because that is where the most famous establishments are concentrated.

A change of atmosphere in winter

But it's worth noting that in winter the atmosphere changes dramatically: the streets become empty and establishments close or operate with reduced schedules. There are many boutiques and one large shopping center on the main shopping street. Nevertheless, shopping here is not as attractive compared to sister cities such as Cannes or Monaco.

Difficulties with renting housing

When it comes to renting housing, the process can be a real challenge, especially for students. In our first year of study, we faced a problem:

• Real estate agencies require foreigners to have a guarantor - a person willing to take responsibility for the tenant.
• Without such a guarantor, it is quite difficult to find an apartment.
• Moreover, you need to collect a whole package of documents from the bank and the insurance company.

The bureaucracy in France is very complex and fulfillment of all requirements is closely monitored.

Realtor assistance

Fortunately, we had an acquaintance who works as a realtor who was very helpful. She helped us find an agency that did not strictly require a guarantor. As a result, in our second year of living in France, we were able to move into a one-bedroom apartment, and the rent was even lower than in a student dormitory.

Comparison of housing prices

For example, for a small studio at the university, we had to pay between €600 and €700, and the living conditions left much to be desired. But for a two-bedroom apartment, which was only fifteen minutes from the center and five minutes from the famous Promenade des Anglais, the rent was the same €700, including utilities.

Apartment description

The accommodation we rented was about 70 square meters in size, furnished but lacked small appliances. We bought the necessary accessories ourselves, such as a vacuum cleaner, coffee maker and toaster, as well as internet equipment.

Social assistance for students

It's also worth noting that students under 26 can count on social assistance, which is a kind of refund: you can get part of your rent back. This enabled us to get about €170 a month back, so that the actual rent was not €700, but only €530.

Working while studying

As for work, although I hardly ever worked during my studies, I was sometimes offered part-time jobs. The university did not leave time for rest throughout the academic year, as the amount of homework was very high and absences were strictly discouraged.

Part-time jobs for students

However, from time to time, special agencies that cooperated with the university offered a variety of job openings such as:

• Meet the campers
• Hostess work

These offers were sent out to students via email and these temporary part-time jobs allowed them to earn up to €100 a day, helping to improve their financial situation a little.

Experience of working in a coffee shop

In my last year of university, I worked in a small cozy French coffee shop as a waitress. This experience left me with extremely pleasant memories. There was a wonderful atmosphere in the café, and the management treated everyone with warmth and understanding.

I often interacted with lovely customers and also became part of a wonderful international team, which made me feel at home. As a result, I was able to make friendships with many customers who often came to our establishment.

Earnings and restrictions

As for income, as a waitress I earned about 40-50 thousand rubles, which can be compared with the€500. However, it is worth bearing in mind that my employment was not full-time, as legislation in France limits students to no more than six hours a day.

Internships and practicums

Unfortunately, my educational institute did not provide facilities in the form of internships and work placements for undergraduate students. As a result, we students had to search for vacancies on specialized platforms and websites on our own.

For graduate students, internships are a mandatory part of their studies, but they too must pursue them on their own.

Living expenses in Nice

Now let's break down our living expenses in a little more detail. A significant amount of the budget goes towards various insurance policies and administrative fees. In my opinion, to live comfortably in Nice requires approx.€1,000per month, but in practice costs vary from€1,500to€2,000.

Let me tell you about the major expense items in more detail.

• Housing rental:Whether it is an apartment or a living room, it will cost you about€700monthly (excluding possible state aid).
• Transport:bus fare is about€1.5and bicycle rentals from€5to€10per hour. Cabs are not cheap either: a ride can cost from€20to€100.
• Nutrition:A light snack, such as a croissant with coffee, costs approx.€5and a full meal at a mid-priced restaurant starts at€20.
• Communications and Internet:When we moved into a new apartment, we had to deal with the purchase of equipment on our own. As a result, our home internet costs amounted to approx.€30per month.

Legal expenses

After Maria completed her studies, she had to deal with legal expenses that regularly take up a significant portion of her budget: life, property and home insurance for her amounted to about€300per year.

Tips for students

Advice for new students: don't be afraid of difficulties, any problems can be solved! Throughout my studies, I have encountered many different experiences - some were not easy, especially in the first two years, when adapting to the new environment was not easy.

Introduction

At the end of my story about entering the University of Nice, which came out as a continuation of my childhood dreams and aspirations, I would like to emphasize that every step of this path was imbued with deep reflection and preparation. My family, with its tradition and ties to France, allowed me not only to master the language, but also to experience the culture and life of this country. I always wanted to study in Nice and I am glad that I was able to do so.

Admission process

I went through every step of the application process, starting with the testDELFand ending with a motivational letter that I hope expressed my passion for the profession I am studying. Special approach of the organizationCampus Franceand the friendly atmosphere at the university only strengthened my confidence in the right choice. Now, studying at the facultyLanguages, literatures, English civilizationI enjoy every day in this beautiful city with a rich history.

University atmosphere

As for the atmosphere at the university, one cannot help but notice that, like Nice itself, it is imbued with warmth and friendliness. I feel that I belong to the community not only as a student, but also as part of a big international family. The faculty and students here are interested in each other and in cultural differences, which makes the learning process truly unique.

Perspectives on education

I realize that education in a foreign university opens up many opportunities, but everything depends on me. I strive to use these resources wisely, develop my skills and accumulate experience that will definitely come in handy in the future. In my case, I feel that expectations and reality are harmoniously intertwined, creating a solid foundation for further professional growth.

Conclusion

I hope my experience will inspire other students to pursue their dreams of studying abroad, and that they won't be afraid to take the first step towards their goals. Getting accepted into the University of Nice marked the beginning of my new journey, full of discoveries and personal growth, and I am confident that the coming years will be filled with exciting events and opportunities that I will gladly share with anyone who shares this dream.