My Exchange at Jean Moulin – Lyon 3 University
Introduction
I found out about 360 exchange through my French class! My teacher spoke of the many francophone universities that would greatly benefit my language learning. When I first arrived in Lyon, France, I could hardly believe I was there. I was stunned by the beauty of the architecture, art and culture.
Accommodation
My accommodation was a 50-minute funicular and metro ride to campus. I had originally chosen my accommodation due to the low price and the beautiful location (It was located on-top of Vieux Lyon- the old town of Lyon). However, if I was to choose again, I would consider an accommodation much closer to my campus.
Courses
Overall the courses and assignments I found were very different from those at Auckland University. I was introduced to a more multichoice test in my history and politics class. I also found that each course required far more participation than that of classes in New Zealand. And that assignments are more critically marked not only on the content but also on the structure of the essay.
Host City
Lyon is not only a beautiful city but also strategically located, making it a great place to live for those wanting to explore Europe. It’s situated close to the Alps as well as the Southern beaches, allowing residents to enjoy both mountain retreats and coastal escapes within a short distance. Within the city there are many places to explore such as; Vieux Lyon (the old town), an areas with colourful italian-style building; Roman architecture; and the Notre Dame cathedral!
Cost of Living
I found that the cost of living in Lyon is on par with that in Auckland. However, the accommodation in Lyon was MUCH cheaper. I paid 225 euro per month in Lyon (this being 397 nzd) whereas in New Zealand I pay around 730 nzd per week). But the cost of living evened out for I spent more money on eating out in France than I did in New Zealand.
Clubs and travelling
While living in Lyon, I joined the badminton club which took place once a week. But outside of the university clubs, I spent the weekends traveling to neighbouring cities and villages. The French train system SNCF makes traveling very cheap and accessible.
Campus
I thought campus life was a bit dreary. The history of the campus is that it was once a tobacco factory and I found there is a lack of greenery and outside sitting within the campus. However, the inside classes were well-built and the auditoriums were spectacular.
Food
My host city is known for its cuisine and gastronomy. There are multiple Bouchons (restaurants dedicated to Lyonnaise food) across the city and it’s an experience that I won’t forget. It was actually a one of my biggest highlight of my exchange- going to a Bouchon with friends.
Challenge
A challenge I faced on Exchange was juggling with school work and travelling. However, I found that I was able to do this by dedicating the weekdays to finishing all necessary work before traveling on the weekends.
Advice
The advice I would give to other students on exchange is that it’s okay to not enjoy every part of the experience. I found the first few weeks challenging, and I initially felt guilty for not having ‘the exchange experience’ I had hoped for. However, I came to realize that there isn’t a singular ‘exchange experience’. As I settled into the city and university routine, I found many more enjoyable aspects of my time abroad.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
There were some very inspiring lectures, with one in particular being my Law of the Sea lecture. My lecturer was very passionate about the topic and often led lively class discussions. Additionally, I found that in all my courses at Jean Moulin, class presentations were mandatory. As a shy person, I initially dreaded this requirement. However, overcoming this challenge has been a significant highlight for me, as it made me a more confident public speaker.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
My university had an organization that allowed you to eat with french families. This was particularly useful for me because I didn’t stay in a host family like other students in my program. So it was a chance to better understand french culture, cuisine and hear french spoken in a family setting.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Take advantage of the unique cuisine in France!
- Purchase a Eurail pass which makes travelling around Europe cheaper!
- Do not be late to classes. Many lecturers consider lateness to be an absent.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
My budget was 10,000 dollars and it was enough for 3 months of establishing myself in Lyon and doing weekend trips (this budget does not include airplane tickets). I would suggest going to local markets for groceries or a hypermarché (large grocery stores) for food. And to take advantage of student discounts on transportation, museum entries, etc.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
Doing an exchange puts you outside your comfort zone. But the more times you are willing to make yourself uncomfortable, the more comfortable you will eventually become with yourself and your abilities to adapt.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I was lucky to have a month and a half after my course to go backpacking. With my 60-liter backpack, I managed to travel to 10 European countries (19 countries within my entire 6-month exchange). Traveling in Europe is much easier than I had anticipated. I used Eurail for much of my travels and it proved to be very cost-effective and sustainable!