Details

• France
• MAEXINT-24
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Tips for the application process at WU for future outgoing students: *Start the application process early and keep track of all deadlines *Check the WU Mobility portal and emails regularly *Upload all required documents on time *Read previous Erasmus experience reports to get realistic expectations (don´t hesitate to contact) *Keep all important dates in your personal calendar to avoid missing any steps Tips for preparing your semester abroad: *Check the EDHEC factsheet in advance to understand the course structure *Review the available courses early and create a preliminary study plan *Make sure the selected courses are compatible with your home university and add up to a total of 30 ECTS *Clarify course recognition with your program coordinator before departure *Have all important dates (course registration, exams, arrival, housing) clearly marked in your calendar *Start looking for accommodation as early as possible

2. Accommodation

I chose private accommodation and found my place through LivinFrance, a platform that connects students with private landlords and agencies. I really recommend starting the housing search early, as demand in Lille increases a lot from June onwards and the best options go fast. I lived near Place de la République in Lille Centre, which I think is the best area to enjoy the city, and it felt safe, lively and very central. With the student public transport card, you get unlimited travel for around €35 per month, which is very convenient. The commute from Lille city centre to the EDHEC campus takes around 45–55 minutes and is well connected by public transport. I wouldn’t recommend living in Roubaix or directly near the EDHEC campus, as these areas feel quite disconnected from Lille and don’t offer much to do.

3. Academic life at host university

EDHEC has a very well-structured and easy-to-follow welcome system, which made the start of the semester quite smooth and organized. The campus infrastructure is modern and well equipped, and everything is clearly structured for international students. One aspect I found more challenging was the strict attendance policy, as you are required to check in to every class with your student card. The courses are very content-heavy and have a strong theoretical focus. While this can be very interesting, in some subjects the connection between theory (input) and practical application (output) is not always very clear, which sometimes made the classes feel more abstract. Compared to WU Vienna, I personally found the courses at WU to be more applied and closer to real business practice, and I also felt that the teaching quality and style at WU suited me better.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Lille is very practical and easy to use. I managed everything through the Ilévia app, and EDHEC provides clear instructions on how to get the student transport card. The city felt generally safe, especially in central areas and around student zones. For sports, I went to the gym Fitness Park, which has good facilities and is well located. Through Erasmus and student WhatsApp groups, there are always social events and parties if you want an active social life. EDHEC students also have access to the sports facilities on campus, which are quite good. I personally didn’t use them much, but the facilities looked nice and I think the swimming pool could be a great option if you like swimming.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at EDHEC Lille was an enriching experience that allowed me to discover a completely different academic and cultural environment. French university culture felt very distinct from both the German-Austrian and Spanish systems, which helped me broaden my mindset and understand different ways of thinking and working. Living in France and sharing daily life with international students gave me valuable new perspectives that I could not have gained in a traditional classroom. This experience helped me grow personally, become more adaptable, and appreciate diverse approaches to education and life.