Student report from exchange program
Name of the university: ESCE International Business School
Exchange semester: Spring 2014
1. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
The information exchange with ESCE was mainly through email and it included
integration to their electronical platform for students were four steps should be
completed before coming to Paris. It worked smoothly and I did not have any difficulties.
Travel
I reached Paris through a direct flight from Stavanger.
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.
Costs
Rent
€ 600
Books
€0
Food
€ 500
Transport
€ 40
Other
€ 350
Culture and language
Because of the high amount of international students at this school, it did not happen
any language difficulties. The youth in Paris usually speak English. The possibilities to
experience the country and the culture were absolutely there, because student
communities arranged trips to other districts than Paris very often.
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 includes marketing, finance and supply chain.
Course registration
The registration of the course started in late December with a deadline of 15th of
January. 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 February.
Academic Calendar
Arrival date:
January 9th
First day of the semester:
February 2nd
Last day of classes:
May 20th
Examination period:
May 6th – June 5th
Any special events/holidays:
Winter and Easter holiday
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
It really dependeds on who that was helping you from the office. Some were helpful and
kind, but others were really rude and unfriendly. In the end I preferred to ask for help to
my favourite teachers instead of going to the international office.
Promoting BI and Norway
We arranged a big 17th of May party for the international students in Champ de Mars.
Social activities
Most of the classes was shared with only international students. This was a very good
experience and I made friendships in almost every part of the world. The native students
were very welcoming and contributed to make my stay here amazing as well. 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%). Even with 8 different subjects, I
did not feel totally exhausted after the examination period.
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 a second year material on Bi to be.
Exams
The exams were based on the course materials, but a very small part, because the exams
did not last for longer than 1-2 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 as well.
Description of courses
Course code &
name
9999 – Français A1
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
Prerequisite
s
Mastering the
level of A0
Approved
as
Elective
1218 – EE_French
Civilization
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
1164 – Business
Communication
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elevtive
1466 –
EE_International
Financial Markets
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
1069 – Stocks and
flows management
Master
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
1056 – International
Master
Average of
None
Elective
2-hour written
exam
Comment
s
Efficient
language
course,
where my
French was
improved.
Interesting
course
about
French
culture
and
history.
Improved
oral
presentati
on skills
and
cultural
differences
.
Structured
course
with a very
good
teacher.
Supply
chain
course
with focus
within the
company.
Improved
Contract Negotiation
previous work
EE_International
business practices
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
Principles of People
Management
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
undersand
ing of
dealing
contracts
overseas.
Improved
knowledge
in
internatio
nal trade.
Interesting
evidencebased
course.
Final note
The exchange semester has been such a pleasure. I am really glad I used the opportunity
to study abroad. I feel I have improved my academic skills especially for doing
international trade, and with so many courses my knowledge in every subject has
increased. Living in Paris did almost just bring me joy from a cultural aspect. The
museums, food, people and architecture did really lightened up my stay here. The most
valuable has been all the good friendships I have made all across the world. The
semester in Paris has been fantastic!