Student Report
Name of the University: NEOMA BS, Campus Reims
Exchange semester: Fall 2015
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
As I was informed in advance by the International Office at BI, the acceptation procedure at
French universities takes a bit longer than other school. I think I have received my acceptance
in April/May. After I have received the information from NEOMA BS, which was very clear,
I received a booklet with all dates, and procedures we had to go through during and before the
departure. And also information related to housing offerings.
Travel
I travelled by car, but also travelled to Oslo during my semester by plane. The easiest is to
take plane to Paris CDG (Charles de Gaulle) and from there you can take directly TGV
(which takes only 32min) to Reims (TGV Champagne Ardenne) which is actually 4 tram
stops from the NEOMA campus.
Housing
I applied for accommodation which was offered by the school, called ACOBHA. The housing
was on-campus, however NEOMA has to 2 campuses in Reims, and all my lectures were held
in the other campus which was 15 min walk from the housing, or 5 min by tram. So either
way the accommodation is very close to both campuses. The advantage living in ACOBHA
was being close to campus with library, where most of the group meetings took place.
Costs
- Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food,
transportation, and other personal expenses?
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
4000 NOK
0 NOK
2000 NOK
300 NOK
2000NOK
The transportation card cost 32 euros/month.
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
Many of the French students weren’t very comfortable speaking English and many
times I found myself in situations where during group works they just switched to
French and I didn’t understand anything, just because I was the only non-French
speaking member, which made my stay very uncomfortable.
-
How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
As Reims is not big city, it was very nice to experience the country and culture. Also
people does not speak usually English, so its very useful to learn French and you get
many opportunities to practice.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
NEOMA Business School is a French business school, created in 2013 by the merger of
two of the most highly regarded grandes écoles: Rouen Business School (established in
1871) and Reims Management School (established in 1928). According to their latest
performances as separate organisations in the 2012 Financial Times ranking of the best
Masters in Management, Rouen Business School's flagship degree was the world's 17th
best and Reims Management School's was 23rd.
Course registration
- I registered in August, and it’s a specific day and time when the registration beginnes
and its on “First comes-first serves” principle, so its good to be ready with the
registration day.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
10.9.2015
15.9.2015
15.9.2015
9.12.-19.12.2015
Arrival
- Describe the introduction week
The International Office
We haven’t received any special valuable information from International Office. We have
received only booklet with recommendations what to do in Reims as student, however only on
French, so it was not so usefull for internatonal students, not speaking French.
Promoting BI and Norway
There were couple of events held by students associations to promote home universities. One
event was for NEOMA students and one for disabled people, where we could share our
experience as food from our countries.
Social activities
- How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange students?
Overall, French students are friendly, however maybe the language barrier causes, that
Erasmus people are doing more activities together, not so much involving the French
students.
-
Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for exchange
students?
Yes, student associations are making a lot of efford to make international students
involved. They have held many parties and activities. For example Wine&Cheese
party held by the association memebers at their own apartments was very nice. As it
was opportunity to taste many different kinds of cheeses and wine, plus also meet the
French students.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
- Describe the teaching style (practical, theoretical, cases/lectures, formal/informal etc.)
Teaching style was very different for me, much more theoretical and very formal. Also
mandatory attendance is part of the rules at NEOMA, as a rule about phones and laptops
which are prohibited at some lectures.
The workload compared to BI at master level, is much lower.
Course materials
- Describe the course materials used
At NEOMA there are no books as curriculum usually. Only case studies posted online, or
power points from the lectures.
Exams
- Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
All exams are made from the PPT presenations from courses and cases provided online.
-
How was the course evaluated?
o Final exam - written
o Mid-term exam – written in class
o Small assignments and/or papers
o Presentations
o Group work – big groups (5-9 people)
o Class attendance
o Class participation/debates
Library and technology
The library is not very advanced, with limited facilities for group work.
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
French
Leading Change
Master
Brand Management
Master
Fundamentals of
Communication
Master
Exam form
Prerequisites
Exam, quizes
None
Final
presentation
Project,
presentation,
final
Project, final
written exam
None
Approved
as
Extra
curriculum
Approved
None
Approved
None
Approved
Comments
Introduction to
Operational Research
Human Resources
Master
Master
Mid-term, Final
Exam
Project, Final
written exam
None
Approved
None
Approved
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
To sum up, my experience from my exchange in France was overall very
positive. Exchange is a great opportunity to meet new friends, and open
yourself to new opportunities and to broaden your knowledge.
I am extremely greatful, I went for this exchange because I have met many
new friends from different backgrounds, and we could all together
experience and try to understand the French culture together, from various
different perspectives and compare it. Which makes exchange the biggest
fun. I am glad, this exchange semester is part of my life experience.