Details

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

1. Preparation

I spent my exchange semester at KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux from January until the end of April 2026. Overall, I would say that an exchange semester is a very valuable experience, but I also wish I had prepared myself better for some practical aspects, especially the housing situation, the weather, and travel connections. Bordeaux is a beautiful city with a lot of charm, great food, and many nice places to visit nearby. However, the city is smaller than I expected, and you have to like this kind of atmosphere. It is not always very clean, and especially in the first months, the weather was quite rainy, humid, and wet.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Bordeaux was honestly one of the most difficult and stressful parts of the exchange. The housing market is expensive and competitive. I paid 840 euros per month, which is a lot, but unfortunately not unusual for Bordeaux. Many landlords ask for a French guarantor, which can make the process difficult for international students. Another thing I wish!! I had known before is that mice can be quite common in some apartments, even when the rent is high!! It is therefore important to check the apartment carefully and ask specific questions before signing anything. I would recommend searching for accommodation through Facebook groups, as this is often where private offers are posted. In terms of location, living in the city center is probably the best option because it makes everyday life much easier and you are better connected to restaurants, shops, cafés, and social activities.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at KEDGE was generally well organized and, in my experience, the academic level was rather manageable. Compared to my home university, I found the workload and academic expectations to be quite low in some courses, for example in Responsible Leadership and Consumer Behavior. The courses were still interesting, but future students should not expect them to be demanding. What I really appreciated was that many courses included a lot of presentations in English. At first, this was a bit challenging for me, but over time it helped me improve my confidence, my English speaking skills, and also reduce my fear of presenting in front of others. This was one of the most valuable academic aspects of my exchange semester. The university also offers events for international students, which helps especially at the beginning. However, most of these events are mainly attended by other exchange students. In my experience, there was not much real contact with local French students or regular KEDGE students. Socially, the exchange experience is therefore mostly shaped by the international student community. If you want to connect with locals, you probably need to make an extra effort outside of university.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Bordeaux was a mix of beautiful experiences and some challenges. The city has a very nice atmosphere, amazing food, great cafés, and many beautiful spots. I especially enjoyed trips to San Sebastián, Biarritz, Cap Ferret, and other places nearby. The region is really beautiful and offers many opportunities for short trips. The weather in January and February was not ideal. It was often rainy, humid, and wet, although not extremely cold, usually around 5 to 15 degrees. Later in the semester, the weather became much warmer and more enjoyable. Personally, I think the winter semester might be a better time for Bordeaux because the weather in spring semester starts quite grey and rainy. One challenge was that it was not very easy to connect with locals in English. French language skills definitely help in daily life and social situations.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Bordeaux was a valuable experience, but I would describe it realistically. It was not life-changing, but it was still meaningful. I experienced a lot, travelled to beautiful places, improved my English, and learned more about living abroad. I did not meet as many new people as I expected. One reason was the language barrier. Without strong French skills, it was harder to connect with locals or French students at KEDGE. Most university events were mainly for international students. Still, I was not alone. I was able to deepen existing friendships with people from WU. Sharing everyday life, travelling together, and dealing with small challenges abroad made these friendships stronger. Bordeaux has many beautiful sides. The food is amazing, the cafés are nice, and the region is perfect for short trips. I especially enjoyed travelling to San Sebastián, Biarritz, and Cap Ferret. At the same time, Bordeaux is not always clean, housing is expensive, and the weather in January and February was rainy and humid. My advice is to prepare early. Start looking for housing as soon as possible. Plan enough money for rent, flights, and travelling. Also, be realistic about the social life. Bordeaux can be a very nice exchange destination, but it is not automatically perfect. For me, it was a good experience, even if it was not life-changing.