Details

• France
• MAMark-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

For the application, the key is to keep your GPA strong and write a clear motivation letter. Look at the destination list and plan your preferences strategically, mixing a few ambitious options with some realistic alternatives, since popular cities can be very competitive. But, even if a destination seems difficult to get, it can still be worth applying (outcomes are not always predictable)! Choose to rank first the cities that match your goals. So, if you care about career and academics, consider the university’s reputation/ranking. Personally, I found it nice to choose a city I had never lived in before, because you have time to explore it and it's way more cool to see everything for the first time. Before leaving, sort out course planning and credit transfer early, and always prepare a Plan B (and even a Plan C) for courses. At my host university, course registration worked on a first-come, first-served basis, so being fast mattered.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Paris is very hard, as demand is high and truly affordable options are limited. I chose to live in Paris even though my university was in Cergy, because I knew I was gonna have classes only 2 or 3 days per week and preferred commuting rather than travelling late at night after going out. The commute was generally manageable, but occasional transport disruptions made it important to avoid last-minute travel and leave extra time. Going back, I would make the same decision. Through a website that was suggested by a friend, I found a private room in a shared apartment in Le Marais. While the location was excellent, my experience in that apartment was challenging, and it negatively affected my well-being. It showed me that housing should be evaluated not only on price and distance, but also on day-to-day comfort and compatibility with your housemate. In hindsight, I would recommend starting early, using all available networks (friends, family etc.), prioritizing safe and well-connected areas (avoid Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est and Montmartre), be highly cautious about scams, because there are many !

3. Academic life at host university

Essec’s infrastructure was solid and the overall environment was pleasant. The campus facilities were practical and student-friendly; in particular, the cafeteria functioned as a central meeting point where students regularly gathered, which was very nice and it's a shame we don't have a similar space at wu. I also had the opportunity to spend time at the La Defense campus, which I found very modern. In terms of academic culture and teaching style, the experience was very similar to WU, I primarily took marketing courses and found them well structured and satisfactory overall. One aspect I did not appreciate was about grading. Final grades arrived quite late, and when final results were published we only received the overall course grade rather than a breakdown of grades across individual assignments. The thing I liked the most was the Erasmus welcoming team, the girls working there are very friendly and supportive, and the orientation activities and small social/academic gatherings organized were genuinely helpful for integrating into campus life and meeting people.

5. Every day life in the host country

In terms of safety, I felt very secure in Paris than I am used to, both at night and during the day, and especially in areas around major stations. Public transportation is extremely efficient and makes it easy to move across the city quickly, although metro stations and trains can feel crowded and not always very clean. Buses were generally more comfortable, but of course slower and more affected by traffic (the traffic is crazy). On evenings when I did not feel safe, I sometimes chose to take private transportation services (Uber) to get home (if you od the same this might increased your expense, but mind cost per ride is lower than in Vienna). Despite these downsides, social life was very enjoyable and the city itself is exceptionally beautiful. There is a lot to see and do, and it is easy to find cultural activities, events, and places to explore throughout the semester. In terms of sports options, the university offered a free gym, which was a valuable resource; however, I personally did not use because it would have required additional commuting time during the week.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Paris was intense, challenging at times, and ultimately unforgettable. While I struggled with a difficult living situation and often felt less safe than I’m used to in Vienna, the city itself is simply magical, beautiful, full of energy, and super inspiring. Essec is also very cool. I enjoyed the courses, the professors were nice, and, most importantly, met truly great people through the university community. Overall, the semester gave me meaningful friendships, personal growth, and memories I will always carry with me.