Romantic, creative, elegant. These and many others are the adjectives that describe the city of Paris, a true cradle of art. Museums of international prestige such as the Louvre and the Orsay Museum are flanked by splendid theaters, cinemas and universities known all over the world such as the Sorbonne. This cultural panorama full of novelties and stimuli attracts a huge number of young people every year. Who wish to study in France at 83 public universities. Specifically at the Sorbonne or at the Ecole Normale, flagships of Parisian education.
The training program of French universities is very thorough and of a high standard. It is no coincidence that many students of Italian universities choose the city of Paris as their Erasmus destination. A unique opportunity to deepen the language and test one's knowledge in the most famous and important universities in Europe.
We tell you about Giulia's experience, a story full of ideas and useful tips for studying in Paris!
The differences between studying in Italy and in France
The French university system differs from the Italian one in many aspects and is complex to explain in a few words. A few examples. Oral exams, very common in Italy, practically do not exist in France. With the exception of oral presentations, the preparation of which is very different from that of a "classic" Italian exam. For each exam there is only one date, you cannot choose between several sessions. Make it or brake it. In any case, if you fail to pass an exam, you don't have to give it back.
Because if the average for the semester is higher than enough, the semester is passed anyway. Another substantial difference is that in France you are obliged to take all the exams of the semester to pass to the next one and you have to pass both semesters to be admitted to the following academic year. Generally, each course consists of 12 lessons of 2 hours, one per week, for a total of 24 hours per semester. The thirteenth week exam takes place. Each semester has a variable number of courses, personally I've always had 12-13 a year.
The aim of the French university is not to transmit certain knowledge to the student, but to push him to reflect and develop his critical and analytical skills. In short, that he is able to analyze and understand a text even without having ever read it before and to produce an original thought about it.
Finding a home: do you have any useful advice? How much does a room cost in Paris?
In Paris it is not you who choose the house, it is the house that chooses you. Finding an apartment in Paris is quite complicated. Normally it is necessary to have a French guarantor (a parent, a relative) to pay in case of non-payment of the rent. Competition is very strong (often when you visit an apartment there can be 10 other people interested). Often we find ourselves evaluating the possibility of living in a 10sqm "studio" on the seventh floor and without a lift for € 600 per month (or even more). Despite this, one must not be discouraged. With a bit of luck and determination you can find a home, also looking for student face books in Paris or, above all, by word of mouth.
It is difficult, but not impossible, to find a room in Paris for less than € 500 a month. Unless you share a room with another person or choose to live a little further away from the center, easily accessible thanks to the Ile de France's extensive metro-railway line. If you have a regular contract, you can request an APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement, personalized help for accommodation), i.e. a contribution that varies according to the case. Normally it is around 100-150 € mitigates the high rents.
How to combine study and work abroad
I have never worked and studied at the same time, when I was studying I had a university scholarship (first Italian and then French). In any case, there are subsidized employment contracts for students that take university needs into consideration and allow for the organization of working hours according to those of the lessons.
Your favorite places to study?
The university library, the libraries of the city or simply one of the many Parisian cafes. Most of the students study outside the home and it is surprising to see, on Sundays, endless lines of students trying to enter the only open Parisian library, many of whom abandon the company to take refuge in the cafes in the area.
