Exchange Report

Thanks to the ranking system at WU, the application process for Kedge was pretty easy and straightforward. Tip for when you're there: My roommate had a car, which I highly recommend (if possible), because it gives you a lot of flexibility to explore the area and drive to the sea.

I contacted Pierre Marzat (marzatp@yahoo.fr) directly, a landlord who rents out a large number of apartments in the center of Bordeaux specifically to Erasmus students. You should be aware that the apartments are not in top condition, BUT they are very inexpensive for the location and compared to other accommodations. The landlord is also very easy to deal with and trustworthy. I lived in a shared apartment with another girl in the city center and we really liked it. Contact with the landlord is also very easy and trustworthy. Personally, I wouldn't look for accommodation near the university because it's very far from the city center. PLEASE NOTE: before I contacted Pierre Marzat, I was scammed. This is apparently not uncommon in Bordeaux. So check everything carefully if you book through private individuals.

The campus is beautiful and modern, very similar to WU. I was in the first year of the Master's program in marketing. My classes were made up entirely of Erasmus students, not a single French person. The organization of the university and courses is a bit strange and not very clear. For example, I had relatively few classes at the beginning, and then suddenly all the courses piled up. The workload is also quite heavy. There are a lot of presentations and small assignments, which, to be honest, take up a lot of unnecessary time. There is a lot of group work. The professors were actually very good, but they didn't talk to each other much, which is why you often heard the same thing over and over again.

Everyday life in Bordeaux is great. There are lots of excellent restaurants, beautiful architecture, and culture. The city is easy to explore on foot, so if you live centrally, you don't need to use the train very often. In the evenings, the city is very lively with lots of bars. The club scene is okay; there are a few clubs, but nothing outstanding. There are lots of activities for Erasmus students in the city, and KEDGE also organizes some events for Erasmus students. Bordeaux is very close to the sea, so you can go surfing or spend days at the beach. There are some very cheap bus connections to various beaches, or you can organize a car. Bordeaux is definitely a running city, so if you like jogging, it's perfect! You can do a great run along the river and get very motivated by the other runners.

I really enjoyed my Erasmus year. Bordeaux is a great city, the French flair is so beautiful and because the city isn't that big, you can get around quickly. The people (including the locals) are very friendly and helpful. And of course, the proximity to the sea is particularly great.