What it’s like to study in France

My program is structured in a way that I have one week at university and one week at work. I'm an IT specialist at a financial company, and I really enjoy being able to apply what I learn at university in practice. I have not seen such programs back in Ukraine.

In terms of academics, I've noticed that people here are very understanding and recognize that it's not always possible to be a perfect student. While there are strict requirements and consequences for things like missing classes or being late, there is also room for flexibility. For instance, I've seen firsthand how the university will go above and beyond to help a student who is going through a rough patch, like a break-up, and give them extra time on an exam. However, it's important to remember that this understanding goes both ways. While the university is willing to help, students also have to put in the effort and make the most of the support being offered. This approach to education is a big contrast to what I experienced in Ukraine, where it felt like the focus was solely on studying and personal issues were not given much consideration.

Internship & work opportunities

In France, most students, including international students, have required internships during the second and third years of study. These internships can last for up to a month or two months in the second year and up to six months in the third year. Graduate students also do a six-month internship at the end of the second year. Universities provide assistance with finding internships by helping students build their resumes and write motivational letters, and they have connections with companies in a variety of industries. It's also common for universities to provide support to students even after they graduate, helping them find job opportunities through alumni connections and other networks.

When it comes to language requirements, it depends on the company. Some companies will accept you only with English, but those are usually US or UK-based large corporations and are pretty hard to get into. My advice for anyone studying in France is to learn French, as it will make it easier to attend university and find work.

In France, students on a student visa are able to work part-time and receive a salary, but they are not required to pay taxes. However, when it comes to securing a full-time job, most reputable companies will not hire students with Bachelor’s degrees only. This is because the education system in France is structured differently, and in order to be considered for a full-time position at a good company, you need to have completed at least five years of higher education (a bachelor's degree plus a master's degree). This is the norm in France, and it's important to keep it in mind when planning your career path.

Life in Paris: expectations vs. reality

There is France, and there is Paris.

During my first time in France, I lived for 6 months in a small city Nancy where I enjoyed a relaxed french lifestyle that I read books about. Moving to Paris from a student city like Nancy was quite an adjustment for me. I had always romanticized the idea of living in Paris, with croissants for breakfast and promenades down the Champs-Élysées. But the reality was very different. I was busy with university, studying from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm during the week. In France, the work week is 35 hours, with a lot of breaks for lunch and coffee. But despite these breaks, I found that I still finished work late in the evening, around 5 or 6 pm. The pace of life in Paris is very fast, and it's not uncommon to feel like you have to work hard in order to keep up.

Overall, the culture shock wasn't too bad for me, since I had traveled to France before and was familiar with the language, history, and culture. But I did notice some differences in the way people eat. In Ukraine, I ate whenever I had time, but in France, there is a set schedule for meals, with lunch being served at noon with no exceptions. It was a bit of a surprise to me, but I think it's a good habit for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Overall, I think it's important to have a good work-life balance, and while I did miss the relaxed pace of life in Nancy, I was still able to enjoy the city and all that it has to offer.

Plan to pursue Masters's degree

I’ve been feeling a little worried about whether I will be able to finish this university year. It's been emotionally tough to keep up with all of the work due to everything that happened this year. While I know that it's not a problem to repeat a year, I still want to do my best to catch up and move on to getting my Master's degree.

I'm not entirely sure if I want to continue at my current university, though. Here, once you start your undergraduate studies, you are able to proceed to Masters's program without having to retake exams or go through interviews. Of course, if you have poor attendance, performance, or simply lack interest, that can be a different story. The main question for me is whether I am truly interested in this program and willing to put in the effort.

Either way, my main goals currently revolve around staying in France. As I mentioned before, it is difficult to find a job in fields like IT and analytics with just a bachelor's degree. Employers expect a higher level of education, which is why a Master's is so important. My thought process now is about figuring out what I want to do with my career and which subjects I want to specialize in. Thanks to the system in France, I gained some work experience through internships in a variety of fields, including data science, data analytics, and business analysis. This has helped me to better understand what I am interested in and what I want to pursue in my Master's. Even my boss has noticed that I may not be as interested in my current role and has asked me what I truly want to do. It's a question that I constantly ask myself, but I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had thus far that have helped me to figure it out.