Hello JB, who are you and what do you do ?
Hello ! My name is Jean-Benoît, I am 21 years old and I am a student in Ms 2 Project Manager at ECEMA, a management school in Lyon. I went to London for my 5th and last year in a partner university of Collège de Paris: Northumbria University.
How did you come up with the idea of going abroad and how did it come about ?
Ever since my baccalaureate year, I have always dreamed of doing a year of study abroad, but I had never really delved into this project more than that. Last year, while I was on a Learning Expedition offered by the Collège de Paris, I discovered their international mobility program. The opportunity was too good! I contacted the person in charge of this program, Elise Perriot, who explained to me how the program works and the steps to take. She accompanied me throughout the process and was a great help (I would like to thank her!).
After much reflection, I decided to take the plunge in January 2020: I was going to do my 5th year in another country! London appeared as my first option: I love this city, it is not far from France and my first objective was to go to a country where English is spoken.
However, the arrival of the Covid-19 complicated things a bit and especially delayed the registration. Finally, I was able to pass the interviews and the tests to enter the university! I was accepted and I flew off at the beginning of September for this new adventure!
How is it going over there?
Given the current situation, the university has set up online courses. However, we have one day a week in person so that we don't lose contact between students and especially for us, the expatriates! But there are strict health rules to respect and everything is going well.
It is really a plus for me because it allows me to speak face to face with others in English and to meet my classmates and teachers. The teaching methods are quite different from my Business School in Lyon but just as interesting!
I must admit that the classes were a bit complicated at the beginning, especially with regard to the understanding of certain speakers (some accents are very difficult to understand!) but they are very professional and help us a lot! My understanding is improving week after week so it's great!
If I validate my two semesters (which I hope I will!) by handing in an end-of-year research file, I will obtain an English diploma and that's great! Besides that, I hope to pass the exams of my business school in Lyon, the ECEMA, which will allow me to validate my "French" year and thus obtain a double degree!
As for my accommodation, I found a place in a student residence next to the campus: I am surrounded by students from different backgrounds and it is quite nice! We get to know each other, we share our respective cultures and we always try to speak English (try I said well)! There is a great atmosphere between expats, we party a lot next to the classes and try to make the most of the chance we have to be here!
Tell us more about the English culture!
As a little anecdote, I almost got hit by a car the first time I crossed on a crosswalk by not looking on the right side of the road! Driving on the left side of the road, it's not easy at the beginning! But after a while, you get used to it and it becomes normal.
Aussi, et pour mon plus grand plaisir, les fast food ne sont pas chers du tout ! Je vois vraiment la différence avec la France. Malheureusement (ou heureusement), ça pousse à la consommation !
Et bien sûr, j’ai hâte que le confinement se termine afin de profiter au maximum de Londres ! J’ai tout de même déjà pu faire mon touriste avec les lieux incontournables à visiter comme Buckingham palace, The Big Ben, Tower bridge etc.
A last word for our readers ?
Aperitif ?!
