Details

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

1. Preparation

I definitely recommend going with a plane either to Paris Orly or Pairs Charles de Gaulle. Download the RATP app to buy tickets beforehand. If you buy the weekly/monthly/yearly ticket you don't have to pay extra at the airports. Also, try to communicate your learning agreement with your host university as soon as possible, it will be much easier for your stay. I would recommend traveling with trams and metro. Buses are not very reliable and RERs have big intervals in between.

2. Accommodation

I lived in an apartment that my friend recommended, so I don't have an experience with online websites. Be careful with sending your information and money, since scams are quite frequent. I would recommend platforms that are paid, especially if you are staying longer, it will be worth it. For exchange students there is a possibility of CROUS accommodation. I wouldn't be scared to apply to CROUS, since you are almost guaranteed to get a room, even though you have to pay 200 euro for registration. You will be with other students, which will be fun and you have nothing to be scared about. Personally, I would try to stay out of 18th 19th and 20th arrondissements because of safety reasons. 1st - 11th should be fine since it's quite central. The most beautiful part for your stay would be Le Marais, but it is going to be more expensive. University is located in the 16th. If you want to stay near I recommend 16th or 17th, but these arrondissements are quite boring. Don't be scared to go for more expensive option, since it is going to be your safe place and it will make you feel better if you have good environment. I was living in the 13th and the location on its own was okay, but very far from university. Plus nothing special, next time I'd go more central. My apartment was cold and a little dirty so not my favorite part of my stay.

3. Academic life at host university

The university on its own was not a blast. WU is very organized... at Dauphine on the other hand you probably won't get a lot of information a the beginning and it can get quite confusing. Teachers are very kind but some of them don't know English very well. Be prepared your lessons might get cancelled and moved to completely random days. Courses in general were easy compared to WU, so don't be scared about that. Also... everybody writes on paper and some teachers will even force you to. Bring some papers and a pen. Dauphine building has confusing system of organizing their classrooms, come sooner to your lessons so you can find your classroom in time. Toilets are not very pleasing either. Cantine on the other hand is unbelievably cheap (3,30 euro for whole meal and snack) and quite tasty. Library is average and very full, I would recommend Bibliotheque Saint Genevieve or Bibliotheque Sorbonne in the Latin quarter. Better vibes if you want to study the whole day. At the entrance of Dauphine you have to prove your identity with your student card and show your bag. I would recommend course Financial markets and Economics of Globalization.

5. Every day life in the host country

If you plan to stay longer than 4 months, apply for the yearly student ticket, It costs 400 euro for the whole year. Metros are safe if you stay in the safe parts of Paris. In the night I never went alone. Try to stay out of the 18th 19th and 20th district, especially at night. Night buses are not fun, better to take an uber with a friend. Dauphine offers sport courses for one time payment of 70 euros. After paying this one time fee you can visit various range of activities. Other than that Dauphine is probably not going to support you very well concerning free time. Paris has a lot to offer though, so you definitely will have things to do. I also recommend won loading the app ,velib, for super cheap bike rides.

6. Testimonial

Being completely honest, my exchange semester was quite hard for me. I was struggling with new environment and missed my friends. On the other hand I learned a lot and have beautiful memories from one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.