Department
Where did you spend your first semester
Laws
abroad?
Degree Programme (e.g. BA French and
France
Russian)
Type of Placement
Law and French Law
University Placement
Year in which abroad
Where did you spend your second
2012/13
semester abroad?
Same place as the first semester
Before Departure
How would you rate your preparation by your department(s)?
Very Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
Generally, I feel like the UCL French law team prepared me adequately for my year
abroad in Paris. However, perhaps spending more time practising the French essay
methodology would have been useful.
How would you rate your preparation by the Study Abroad Team?
Very Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
Did you attend the Pre-Departure briefing organised by the Study Abroad Team in March?
Yes
If yes, did you find it useful?
Yes
Please give feedback/suggest any improvements:
How would you rate your own preparation ahead of studying abroad?
Satisfactory
Could you have done more to prepare yourself before leaving UCL? If so, please give
details:
Making sure you have your parents' bank details, proof of tax payments and proof of
residence is vital to find/sort out accommodation in Paris. I did not have these
documents with me upon arrival and it was a bit of a hassle to obtain them in a short
period of time
Could you have been better prepared by UCL? If so, please give details:
No, UCL prepared us well.
As part of your preparation, did you do any of the following (tick all that apply):
- Contact final year students who had returned from their year abroad
- Contact exchange students who were studying at UCL at the time
- Consult previous students' study abroad questionnaires
- Consult your host institution's website
If you contacted the Study Abroad Team, what did you seek advice about? Did you find the
advice useful?
About my erasmus grant. Yes, the advice was clear and useful.
Prior to departure, were you given clear instructions by your department on what was
expected of you academically during your year abroad?
Yes
How did you prepare yourself for the academic aspect of your year abroad programme?
By reading the French law books, French literature.
What advice would you offer to students prior to making a decision about where to study
abroad?
Listen to the advice given by students who have previously been on the exchange that
interests you. They will have had a full cultural and academic immersion and will be the
best people to speak to.
What advice would you give to students preparing to go abroad? What things should they
make sure to do ahead of beginning their year abroad?
The UK is a relatively admin free nation. There is a significantly higher level of
bureaucracy in France, so patience is key. Making sure you check you have all relevant
documents to do the activities you are interested in is also important. e.g. for sport you
need to make sure you have a medical certificate.
Your Placement - University
Name of your host university:
Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris 2)
Location (city and country):
Paris, France
Was your university placement part of an ERASMUS or other exchange programme?
Yes
When did you receive confirmation of acceptance from the host university?
Summer 2012
When did your placement start?
September
How did you get to your placement? Please give rough details of the journey and costs:
Eurostar. 65-90 pounds.
Enrolment and Course Registration
Please describe the enrolment process at your host university. What formalities did you have
to complete, and, in particular, what documents did you need to have in order to enrol? (e.g.
carte de séjour, passport, nomination letter). As an international student, were you given any
special help with enrolment?
Passport, proof of insurance, passport photos, EHIC card.
Were any special orientation events/meetings provided for study abroad students? If so,
please give details.
Yes, at the start of term to choose Tutorial groups and during term time a few buffet
events were organised for the study abroad students.
Is there any advice you would give to future students ahead of enrolling at this university?
No, the process is relatively straightforward. Just follow the instructions you are given.
Registering for Courses
How easy was it to finalise and register your course choices?
Very easy
Please give details of the procedures and how to choose or change courses:
Visit your study abroad supervisor at your host university. He/she will sort everything
out for you relatively quickly.
Was obtaining information about courses and timetables difficult or simple?
Simple
If difficult, what advice would you offer on how to obtain the information?
Academic Life
At your host university, who helped you with the academic or administrative aspects of your
year abroad? Please tick all that apply:
- International Office / Erasmus Office
Please give names of helpful individuals if possible:
Joel Cavallini - offered excellent support and always available to answer questions
Maryna Vartanova - International office coordinator. Very pleasant and keen to help
international students.
Please indicate what kind of help you received (e.g. with course registration; general
academic advice; specific assistance with coursework; specific assistance with dissertation
preparation; instructions concerning coursework; instructions concerning assessment):
Course registration and general admin advice.
Please comment on the number of classes you took and how many hours a week that
constituted in the classroom. Please also mention the amount of work you had to do outside
class on average:
Civil Law and Constitutional Law (Major subjects) 4/5hrs a week contact hours.
Outside classroom 1 essay a week for each subject. Heavy workload outside the
classroom.
3 minors per term. 3 hour lecture per subject per week.Minors change in 2nd term.
Please describe the nature of the classes (i.e. large lectures, smaller seminar groups etc.) What
was the average lecture/class size?
Large lectures and small tutorial groups.
Size varied
Please describe the mode of assessment for the courses you took (e.g. written/oral exam,
essay/project etc.) and its timing (e.g. mid or end of year). Were there coursework
requirements (presentations, essays etc.)?
written + oral exams. 50% coursework for major subjects. Mid and end of year exams.
Please comment on the availability and approachability of teaching staff at your host
university:
Largely varied. Many approachable and liked erasmus students. Always willing to lend
a helping hand. Others more cold and distant.
How would you rate the teaching at your host university:
Very good
How would you rate the selection of courses offered:
Very good
How would you rate the intellectual level of the material covered:
Good
How would you rate the difficulty of the courses at your host university compared to UCL:
The same as UCL
Please give details:
If you attended a university where the language of instruction was not English, did you
experience any language difficulties?
No
Did your tutors make allowances for your not being a native speaker?
Yes
If yes, please give details:
Spelling/grammar mistakes.
Facilities
Library provision:
Excellent.
Access to computers, internet etc.:
Excellent.
Clubs and societies (type, range, and cost):
Good.
Sporting facilities (type, range, and cost):
Gym, free. Free sport. University offers insurance (free for students).
Other:
Summary
Why did you choose to spend your year abroad at this university in particular?
Renowned for being the best in France for law.
Are you glad that you did so?
Yes
Would you recommend this university to future UCL students?
Yes
Please explain why:
If you enjoy exiting your comfort zone, being challenged and discovering the principles
on which the French legal system and Constitutional history is founded, the Assas law
erasmus exchange is the university you should attend.
How would you rate the placement overall?
Very good
How would you rate the placement within the context of your degree programme?
Very good
Is there any specific advice you would offer to students considering a placement at this
university?
This university expects its students to work hard. This is definitely not the place for you
if you expect your erasmus year to be an 'easy ride'.
Accommodation
What type of accommodation did you obtain?
Accommodation provided by your host institution
How did you obtain your accommodation? Please describe the application process, when you
applied, and when you received confirmation:
UCL provided our accommodation as a result of ties it has with host institution.
What was the average monthly rent? What was included in this cost (e.g. bills, internet, food
etc.)? Please give as much detail as possible about the costs associated with your
accommodation:
505 euros. The French government funds some of the rent though and happily helps
students out.
How early could you move in?
Start of september.
Did you have to vacate the premises during the holidays?
No
How would you rate the accommodation provided?
Very Good
Please describe the type of accommodation you stayed in, its location and level of comfort.
Did you have a single or double room? What were the kitchen and other facilities like? What
was or wasn't provided (e.g. bedding, kitchen utensils)? Did you feel that the accommodation
represented good value for money?
Single room, kitchenette, ensuite bathroom. Much better, cleaner and newer than any of
the halls of residence I've been to in London.
Did you live with local students, or with other foreign students? Were the halls a good place
to practice your language skills and interact with local students?
Local and foreign students. Not as sociable as UCL halls.
Would you recommend this accommodation to future students?
Yes
Is there any other advice you would like to share with future students looking for
accommodation in your host town/city?
Finance
How much money did you need on arrival (e.g. for housing deposits, rent and other start-up
costs)?
1200 euros
1. Cost of Living
Rent (per month):
505
Bills (electricity, gas, water, internet, phone etc.):
included in rent
Books (overall amount spent on books during your stay):
not much. second hand book sale organised by uni
Food (weekly):
30 euros
A (simple) meal (in a cafe or restaurant):
15/20
A coffee (in a cafe or bar):
2/3
A beer (in a cafe or bar):
5
A cinema ticket:
5
Local travel (weekly):
3/4
Entertainment (weekly):
5
Any other regular costs:
In total, how much did you spend per month on average?
300/400 euros
How would you rate the cost of living in your host town/city when compared to London?
More expensive
Please give details. Were there certain things which were more expensive than in the UK, and
others which were cheaper?
general life is more expensive in Paris. supermarkets cheaper in UK, Beer cheaper in
bars in UK. Only wine in supermarkets cheap and good quality.
2. Working
Is supplementing your income through part-time work a viable option?
No
If yes, do you have any advice about what type of work to look for, or where to look? Please
give the names of any employers or agencies you worked for, and any newspapers, websites
or notice boards you would recommend:
Does your host institution help with finding part-time work?
yes.
3. Banking
Did you open a bank account in your host country?
Yes
If yes, was it easy to open an account? Please describe the process and what documents were
needed. Did you have to make a minimum deposit to open the account?
yes. Simple process. Arrange meeting with branch manager. no need to make minimum
deposit from what i remember.
Which bank did you open an account with?
BNP paribas. University deal.
What type of account did you open? Were there any charges, and was it easy to withdraw
money within your host country using this account?
No charges. Student account. Easy to withdraw money.
Would you recommend opening a local bank account? If so, which bank(s) or account(s)
would you recommend?
Yes, Paribas has a deal with host institution. You will be able to bank for free with them.
General
1. Social Factors (Opportunities and Ease of Meeting People)
How much interaction did you have with local students?
Not much.
How much interaction did you have with other international students?
a lot.
In your experience, what were the best ways of meeting people?
through sports, societies and by socialising after tutorial groups.
If you were studying in a country where the local language is not English, how often did you
speak the local language?
Often
2. Mobile Phones
Would you recommend getting a mobile phone with a local tariff as well as/instead of your
English mobile?
Yes
Please give details. Are there any mobile providers you would recommend?
free mobile. very cheap, good deals.
Transport
Was local transport good or bad? Please give details of local transport you used:
Good, metro will take you everywhere.
What was the cost of local transport? Are there any special deals or discounts for students?
cheaper than london. 1.70/journey
Did you travel more widely within your host country or within the region? How easy was it
to travel, and was it expensive to do so?
not expensive. Depends where you go. TGV (high speed trains) expensive. Many places
in the Paris region can be reached by RER, the regional train, which is pretty cheap.
Life in your Host Country
Please comment on the social life and entertainment in your host city/country, or any other
aspects of life there which you would like to share:
Nice bar culture, laid back lifestyle. So much to do in Paris. Get involved through the
Uni. Trips organised to Chateaux de la Loire and other interesting places.
Is there any advice you would give to someone preparing to live in your host city/country?
Don't get stressed out by the bureaucracy you will encounter, particularly whilst you
are settling down in Paris. Just be patient, even though it takes much longer to get
things done. There are no short-cuts.
Did you experience any problems/difficulties while living in your host city which you would
like to share with the Study Abroad Team?
None.
Study Abroad - Summary
Did you find your year abroad rewarding academically?
Yes
Please give reasons for your answer:
I attended an academically rigorous institution. Was required to work hard and will
leave Paris extremely satisfied with the amount of things I have learned.
Did you find your year abroad rewarding in non-academic respects?
Yes
Please give reasons for your answer:
Paris is a beautiful city. Met many wonderful people and enjoyed meeting locals
through the societies/sport clubs.
How would you rate your year abroad experience overall?
Very good
Please give reasons for your answer:
Generally have had a great time, despite the hard work and essay/exam stress.
Do you feel that you have developed skills which will be of use to you in future?
Yes
a) My cultural awareness:
Has increased greatly
b) My language proficiency:
Is the same
c) My independence:
Has increased greatly
d) My self confidence:
Has increased greatly
e) My intellectual development:
Has increased greatly
f) My personal development:
Has increased greatly
g) My ability to make decisions:
Has increased slightly
h) My ability to explore and create opportunities:
Has increased slightly
i) My ability to cope with difficult situations:
Has increased greatly
j) My ability to solve problems:
Has increased greatly
How would you rate the support you received from your department at UCL during your time
abroad?
Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
I encountered no significant problems.
The department was generally punctual with its notifications, which I found useful.
How would you rate the support you received from the UCL Study Abroad Team during your
time abroad?
Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
Are there any other comments you would like to make?
-