Details

• France
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I chose Paris because I had visited the city before and really loved it. The atmosphere, culture, and international environment made it an easy choice for my exchange semester. I travelled to Paris by plane, which was the most practical option for me. My main advice would be to start looking for accommodation as early as possible, as finding housing in Paris can be quite challenging. It is also worth taking care of the Erasmus paperwork early on, as there can be quite a few administrative steps.

2. Accommodation

I lived in a shared apartment with two roommates in Puteaux, about a 15-minute walk from the university. I found my room through Studapart. Although there are several additional fees, which makes it a bit more expensive, I personally found it worth it because the process was straightforward and reliable. Puteaux turned out to be a great place to live. It is very safe, quiet, and well-maintained, while still being close to everything. My nearest metro station (Line 1) was only about a 10-minute walk away, which made it very easy to get into central Paris quickly. My biggest tip would be to start looking for accommodation as early as possible and not focus only on Paris itself. Areas such as Puteaux are very well connected and can be a great option for students. However, it is important to note that accommodation there is not necessarily cheaper than in Paris. I chose Puteaux because of its location and safety, and I would definitely choose to live there again.

3. Academic life at host university

The university has an international student club that organizes several activities during the first week, which is a great way to meet people. However, after the welcome period, there are not many events. There is also a buddy programme, but in my case my buddy only contacted me once, so I would not rely too much on it. The teaching style is generally quite relaxed and approachable. However, some courses can be surprisingly strict without a clear reason. One thing that stood out to me was that several courses are worth only 2 ECTS but still require a significant amount of work, such as conducting interviews, group projects, presentations, and an exam. The campus is nice and modern, but it is not comparable to WU Vienna in terms of facilities and size. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are very limited food options on campus, so you will often need to bring your own food or buy something nearby. Courses I would recommend are Consumer Behavior: New Trends, Psychology of the Negotiator, Social Media Marketing, and Strategy and Organization of Innovation, that course is worth 6 ECTS, has a manageable workload and convenient class times. I would not recommend Product Innovation. Despite being worth only 2 ECTS, it was by far one of the most demanding and strict courses, with a workload that did not match the number of credits.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Paris is excellent and makes it easy to get around the city and surrounding areas. I mainly used the metro and had no issues reaching the university, the city centre, or other parts of the region. Overall, I felt safe during my stay. Of course, there are certain areas where I would be more careful at night, as in any large city, but I never experienced any problems myself. One of the best things about Paris is that there is always something to do. The city offers countless cafés, restaurants, parks, museums, and beautiful streets to explore. There are also many events taking place throughout the year, so it never feels boring. Compared to Vienna, I felt that there was much more going on and many more opportunities to try new things. There are also plenty of nice bars, some of which are surprisingly affordable. Especially when the weather gets warmer, the whole city seems to come alive, cafés, bars, parks, and public spaces are full of people enjoying their time outside, which creates a great atmosphere. For sports, there are many options ranging from private clubs and gyms to public sports facilities and outdoor activities.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester was one of the best experiences of my studies. I loved living in Paris, exploring different parts of France, and meeting people from all over the world, many of whom I will stay in contact with long after the exchange. The combination of the city, the friendships, and the experiences I made during my travels made this semester truly special and unforgettable.