Student report from exchange program
Name of the university: ESCE International Business School
Exchange semester: Fall 2015
1. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
The information exchange with ESCE was mainly through email and it included
integration to their online platform for students were four steps should be completed
before coming to Paris. It worked smoothly and I did not have any difficulties. You also
have to take a French-test before leaving Norway, as French courses are mandatory at
ESCE. You are divided into groups based on these results.
Travel
I reached Paris through a direct flight from Oslo.
Housing
The school recommended places to look for housing, and they suggested a student
housing a little outside the city of Paris. We ended up renting on the private market
through an agency called Entrée Paris. The apartment we got was very nice and not too
expensive. I shared the apartment with two other girls from BI and we paid 2100 Euros
a month, so 700 € per person.
Culture and language
Because of the high amount of international students at this school, it did not experience
any language difficulties. The youth in Paris usually speak English very well, and almost
everyone have some English knowledge. However, it is good to know some French
phrases. The possibilities to experience the country and the culture were absolutely
there, because student communities arranged trips to other districts than Paris very
often. Also during the fall we had a one-week vacation where we went to both Lyon and
Bordeaux. It is easy to get around in France either with train, bus (Flexibus or Ouibus) or
BlaBlaCar. To experience the culture is very easy in Paris, as almost every museum and
expeditions are free for Europeans under 26.
2. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The school was a modern building located in the 15th area with walking distance to the
Eiffel tower. It can remind of a Norwegian high school, because it was many small
classrooms and almost no space for self-studying except from two small media centres.
Their special academic areas include marketing, finance, people management and
supply chain.
Course registration
The registration of the course started late August. It was an online process where you
submitted your eight preferred courses and three in case of not getting some of them.
The add/drop period lasted for the two first weeks of September. However, we had
some difficulties getting our schedules together, and it took very long time before
everything worked out. Do not count on getting all the courses you want.
Academic Calendar
Arrival date:
August 24
First day of the semester:
August 25
Last day of classes:
December 4
Examination period:
December 7-18
Any special events/holidays:
Fall vacation the last week of October
Other:
Arrival
The introduction week was good. We got all the information that was necessary and
went on a boat trip on the seine. It was a bit of a mess because the introduction week
was at the same time as the first week of school and the add/drop period.
The International Office
I did not really have any contact with the international office other then getting the
signature for the Erasmus agreement. The people I talked to there were friendly and
helpful.
Social activities
Most of the classes were shared with mainly French students. This is because I had to
take all 5.class courses as the Erasmus courses, that almost all international students
attend, were not approved as master courses by BI. However, all the French students
were very welcoming and contributed to make my stay here amazing as well. I mainly
followed one class in people management, and so we were invited to a class party with
all the French students that were very fun. As for the activities for the international
students, there was arranged parties almost every weekend, trips, picnics and other
social activities through a Facebook group for international students.
3. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
The teaching style was very different compared to BI. We were about 30 students in
each class, which makes it easier for communication and dialogues with the professors.
Almost all the teachers used PowerPoints, and we did not have any books. So the
preparation for the exam would rely on your own notes from the classes. The setting
was informal and there was a very good interaction between the teacher and the
students. The workload felt less in Paris, but a reason for that can be that the evaluation
was is smaller parts (midterm=40%, final exam=60%). Several of my classes also had a
term paper, and so I only had three exams.
Course Material
The materials were mainly power point slides and handouts from the professors. That is
a bit different than what I am used too, but I worked out fine. The level of the material
was not as high as you could expect it to be at BI.
Exams
The exams were based on the course materials, but a very small part, because the exams
did not last for longer than 2 hours. The courses were evaluated by one midterm degree
that counted 40% and the final exam that counted 60%. The midterm would usually be 3
or 4 smaller evaluations and the average of those would make the midterm degree. The
evaluations were oral presentations, simulations, written group work, small tests, hand
in of homework and participation in class. This was a good way to keep up efficient work
throughout the whole semester.
Library and technology
There was not a library at campus. The PC centre was way to small for so many students,
and there were always problems with the computers and the printers. The IT assistance
was almost never available.
Description of courses
Course
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
/Master
Exam form
Prerequisites
Approved as
Comments
No exam
Mastering the
level of A0
Not approved
by BI, but
mandatory at
ESCE
Navigating
Change
Master
Final paper
None
Elective
Developing
Potential
Master
2-hour written
exam
Some very
basic statistics
are good to
know
Elective
Diversity
Management
Master
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
Managing
Information
Systems
Master
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
Efficient
language
course,
where my
French was
improved.
Interesting
course
about
change
processes in
a company
Used
statistics, i.e
empirical
data to
analyse
potential in
a company.
Learning
about
diversity,
stereotypes
etc.
Learning
about
information
systems
used in a
company
Français A1
Advanced
Digital
Marketing
Master
Final Paper
International
sales
development
Master
Final paper and
presentation
Some
marketing
would be good
to know
None
Elective
Elective
Digital
marketing,
e- and mcommerce
Worked on a
project were
we
transferred
a company
to a
different
market
Final note
The exchange semester has been such a pleasure. I am really glad I used the opportunity
to study abroad. I feel that I have improved my academic skills especially for doing
Managing Information Systems. Living in Paris was amazing, with all the fantastic
culture, food, shopping and wine. The atmosphere is Paris is amazing, and I felt that I
adapted well to the Parisian lifestyle, with a relaxed way of life, with delicious food,
pastries and museums. The most valuable has been all the good friendships I have made
all across the world. The semester in Paris has been fantastic!