Details

• France
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The application process at WU is clear and well-structured. As long as you follow the deadlines and prepare the required documents on time, it is very straightforward. No special preparation is needed beyond knowing your preferred destinations. Preparation for ESCP is generally simple. A basic understanding of French can help in daily life, but it’s not essential. The only challenging part is finding accommodation. Paris has a very competitive housing market, so start your search early. Apart from that, the pre-arrival process is uncomplicated and everything is communicated well in advance.

2. Accommodation

I personally did not go through a long search process because I found my apartment through an Instagram story that several friends had reposted. I ended up moving in with a friend of a friend who owns the apartment, which was very lucky. However, for most students the housing search in Paris was extremely challenging and very expensive, so the general experience is quite tough. My apartment was in Montparnasse, a vibrant, lively, and very safe neighborhood with lots of cafés and young people. I really enjoyed living there. The downside was the commute to the Champerret campus, which is located in a more residential area. Still, I preferred having a longer commute in exchange for living in a younger, more dynamic district.

3. Academic life at host university

All my courses took place at the Champerret campus, which is a temporary location while the main campus is being renovated. The building is a former hospital, and this is noticeable: the layout is confusing, the facilities are quite basic, and overall the campus does not meet the expectations one might have of a private business school. The area is safe, but the location is somewhat inconvenient and not very central. The academic culture differed significantly from what I am used to at WU. Although ESCP has a strong reputation, the academic structure behind it felt less rigorous. Many courses lacked clear organization, and important information (such as exam formats or dates) was often communicated very late, sometimes only a week in advance. Each professor sets their own system, which results in inconsistencies across courses. In general, the courses were not very demanding, but the academic level varied greatly. Grading is very strict, and high grades (above 18/20) are essentially unattainable. I also found that the overall academic motivation among students was lower than expected, which affected some group projects. Compared to WU, the academic processes at ESCP felt much less structured and transparent. Students coming from the DACH region might find this particularly challenging, as the administrative and academic standards differ noticeably. Although I was disappointed by the academic side of ESCP, I still had a great semester abroad. I met amazing people from all over the world and enjoyed life in Paris, and the lower academic workload allowed me to make the most of my time there.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Paris is reliable and very well-connected. However, it is quite expensive compared to Vienna. There is no monthly student pass, so you have to purchase the regular monthly Navigo pass, which costs around €90. Despite the price, the metro and buses work efficiently and make it easy to get around. Overall, I felt safe in Paris, but compared to Vienna, the city does feel less secure, especially at night. I often opted for Ubers in the late evening, which is common among students. Paris offers an endless variety of activities. Whether culture, food, nightlife, or sports, there is always something happening. Museums, exhibitions, concerts, parks, cafés, and restaurants make everyday life incredibly vibrant. There are also many options for sports, from gyms to running routes along the Seine or in the city’s many parks.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Paris was an amazing personal experience. I loved living in the city, meeting people from all over the world, and enjoying everything Paris has to offer. Academically, however, the semester was weaker and less structured than what I am used to at WU. Even so, the overall experience was extremely enriching and definitely worth it.