Details

• France
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Hi, I spent my exchange semester at Kedge Business School in Bordeaux. Important things to know for the Perparation: - choose 7 options for your exchange - check for each university how many available spots they have and how many applications from WU students (you get a feeling of realistic it is to get a space) - do not take only high prestigues univeristies - chances to get a space is really low, consider one or two spots where it easier to enter probably - for the interview: do not prepare any special facts about your favourite university, prioritise why you want to go abroad in general and motivates you to do such an experience - prepare yourself for the interview really well!

2. Accommodation

for Kedge Bordeaux: - the Business School in Bordeaux is located a bit outside of the city center (same as in Vienna at WU) - Bordeaux only has Buses (not really reliable) and a tram (best way to get to Kedge Business School) - A typical student area is around Place de la Victoire close to where Tram B is going. I would recommend to look for accommodation in this area. (nice areas are St.Genes, Meriadeck and Nansouty closer to St.Genes - don't go to the district Capusins!!) - I found my accommodation over https://www.studapart.com/, a platform for student accommodations in Bordeaux. I lived in a house with in total 9 people. For socialising and big house partys the perfect house, located directly at tram B (116 Cours de l'Argonne) - In Bordeaux are quiet a lot of big shared apartments/houses. For socialising this can be a great option and is not as expensive as a single apartment (I paid 650€/month + 1 time fee of 500€ for studapart) - i don't recommend to live close to Kegde Business School. It is too far away from the city center if you just wanna go there for partying.

3. Academic life at host university

- Kedge Business School is a nice & modern campus with 2 connected buildings (design reminds me a bit of WU) - courses: are always in small groups (max. 30 people) and always more like a "Übung" than a "Vorlesung". You have to be present for 80% of the classes (profs are really strict with the attendancy rule). In every course you have a group project. The projects are going through the whole semester and are quiet work intense, but not really hard to pass. Example: in my enterprise class we had to came up with a start up and make a Business Plan over the whole course, but no final exam. - I had 3 final exams in my last week: I started studying 7 days before and passed them all great - compared to the WU exams are they easy if you only want to pass.

5. Every day life in the host country

Daily life: - meeting friends daily - exploring Bordeaux and its suroundings: St. Emilion, Arcachon, Dune de Pilat, Biarritz - running at the river Garonne weekly, playing volleyball & Football at Kedge Business School (for free) - hanging out in Bars in the city center - safety is great except for the district Capusins in the night. Could walk everywhere any time - Trams were always on time, if there was no strike (French national sport), Buses are a mess - in Bordeaux city center you walk everywhere - nice clubbing area in the north of the city center: La Dame, IBOAT & Cafe OZ

6. Testimonial

I came to Bordeaux with no expectations and had the best time in my 20s here! The daily life in Bordeaux with friends is really great. French students party from Wednesday until Sunday night. I did school stuff from Monday until Wednesday. From Thursday to Sunday i was on small trips in the region, Biarritz, Arcachon, San Sebastian, etc. Bordeaux is a really underrated exchange destination. For people that want to spent a great time here, making great new friends, enjoying the French lifestyle and don't study to much is Kedge Bordeaux the right place!