Motivation
I had wanted to live in Paris since I was about 10 years old, drawn to the romanticised idea of the city that so many people talk about, so this was definitely a major motivation for me. But as I got older, I began to appreciate the deeper value of a semester-based global exchange. Studying abroad in France would offer me the chance to immerse myself in a new culture, develop adaptability and independence, and gain international exposure that would be invaluable for my future career. I also saw this as an opportunity to experience a different academic environment, expand my global network, and challenge myself in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I had never gone to ESSEC.
Personal Development
One of the biggest takeaways from my exchange was the friendships I formed. With eight classes, each involving a significant amount of group work, I had countless opportunities to connect with both French and international students. The mix of backgrounds also meant I was constantly learning new things, even if it was just different academic approaches or cultural perspectives.
Living in Cergy also allowed me to improve my French. While my courses were officially in English, French students naturally preferred speaking their native language, and many European students were fluent as well. This constant exposure helped me become more comfortable with the language. Additionally, since Cergy is further from central Paris, everyday interactions like shopping or dining out often required me to use French, pushing me to improve my communication skills in real-world situations.
Beyond academics, being in Cergy also gave me easy access to Paris. With my apartment just a two-minute walk from the Cergy Prefecture train station, I spent my weekends exploring the city. Whether it was visiting iconic landmarks or experiencing the Parisian way of life, I took full advantage of the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture.
Academic Development
Studying at ESSEC introduced me to quite a different academic structure, which challenged me in new ways and ultimately helped me develop stronger time management and adaptability skills. Unlike at UQ where courses are typically spread across multiple lectures and tutorials each week, at ESSEC I was required to take eight classes, each consisting of a single three-hour tutorial-style session per week. At first, this was a little overwhelming as I was still adjusting to the long class durations, however I actually came to appreciate the format by the end of the semester.
One of the biggest challenges was ensuring I kept up with all eight courses. Since each class only met once a week, it was easy for a subject to get ‘forgotten’ as the week progressed. To overcome this, I had to be much more deliberate with my study schedule, setting aside time to review and prepare for each course independently. This approach not only strengthened my self-discipline but also improved my ability to balance multiple priorities - an invaluable skill in any academic or professional setting.
The workload itself was comparable to UQ, but the assessment structure was noticeably different. Instead of regular assignments or exams, most courses had a few short quizzes throughout the semester, with a major pitch or presentation in the final lesson. I came to enjoy this style of assessment, as it emphasises practical application of the content learned in classes. The focus on presentations and teamwork also pushed me to refine my public speaking skills and learn how to collaborate effectively in an international environment.
Professional Development
One of the most valuable aspects of my exchange was the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. With so much group work across my eight courses, I had to quickly adapt to working professionally with a diverse range of people, many of whom had different work styles, cultural perspectives, and expectations. This experience strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and manage group dynamics, all of which are essential skills in any professional environment. While navigating occasional differences in opinions and work habits was sometimes challenging, I learned to approach these situations with flexibility and patience, ensuring that our teams remained productive and cohesive.
Another major takeaway was the practical, real-world application of our coursework. Many of our classes were structured around case studies of actual businesses, and most of our professors had extensive industry experience, having worked in multinational companies themselves. Their insights gave us a firsthand understanding of how things are done in the professional world, bridging the gap between theory and practice in a way that will be incredibly valuable for my future career.
Beyond theoretical learning, the structure of our assessments gave me hands-on experience with real-world business scenarios. For our presentations, we weren’t just delivering academic-style reports, we were stepping into the roles of executives, consultants, and entrepreneurs. Some of the projects included conducting primary market research and proposing new products for La Mer, developing a secondary research-driven advertising campaign for L’Oréal (which we pitched to a panel from the L’Oréal Brandstorm competition), and designing a supply chain management platform that we presented to CEOs from within the industry. These experiences gave me a taste of real business challenges, helping me refine my strategic thinking, public speaking, and problem-solving skills.
A key challenge with this style of assessment was the high level of expectation - these weren’t just theoretical exercises but pitches that had to be backed by solid research and persuasive communication. However, the pressure of presenting to industry professionals pushed me to become more confident in my ability to deliver compelling pitches — something that will be incredibly useful as I progress in my career.
Costs and Funding
During my semester in Cergy, my biggest expense was rent, which was €850 per month. I was only there for three months, but this was a significant portion of my overall budget.
For groceries, I did one large shop each week, usually spending €60–70, with occasional smaller trips for fresh produce or essentials. This helped me save money compared to eating out regularly.
In terms of transport, train tickets from Cergy to Paris cost €5 each way. There is an unlimited transport card available, which might be worth considering for students commuting frequently. However, I personally opted to buy tickets as needed and then walk everywhere once I arrived in Paris. This not only saved me money but also allowed me to see much more of the city compared to taking the metro.
I was fortunate to receive the Nicolas Baudin Travel Grant, which provided $2,500 to contribute towards the cost of my return flight from Australia to France. This grant also made me exempt from paying the €99 student visa application fee - though unfortunately I had already paid it and you aren’t able to get a refund! Regardless, the grant significantly reduced the financial burden of travelling to France, allowing me to allocate more of my personal savings towards living expenses and making the most of my time abroad.
In addition, I was awarded a $1,600 UQ Internships and Global Experiences Grant, which covered an entire month's rent. This was incredibly helpful, as accommodation was my largest expense during the semester. Having this financial support meant I had more flexibility with my budget, making it easier to enjoy experiences in Paris without constantly worrying about finances.
Accommodation
I stayed at Themis by Colonies, a co-living residence located just a 2-3 minute walk from ESSEC. While the building had a shared lounge and kitchen on each floor (with around 10–15 rooms per floor), I opted for a self-contained studio. This meant I had my own kitchenette and ensuite, so I didn’t need to use the common areas at all.
Before choosing Themis, I looked into ESSEC’s own off-campus accommodation. However, their booking system required students to submit credit card details upfront and be allocated a room based on availability. While they did have a preferencing system, I was only interested in one specific building and a single room, and I didn’t want to risk being placed elsewhere or in a shared room, so I decided to explore other options.
Many people in my classes did live in the city of Paris, but for me when I knew I would have classes starting at 9am and not finishing until 7:30pm, I did not want to be taking the train in the dark, so staying in Cergy was a must for me.
Overall, I was very happy with my accommodation choice and would recommend it to future students looking for a private and convenient living arrangement near ESSEC.
Highlight
The absolute highlight of my exchange was having Paris at my doorstep and being able to visit whenever I wanted. Living just a short train ride away meant that on my day off on Friday and on the weekends, I could just head into the city and explore.
One of the most surreal moments was simply walking through Paris alone and realising, 'I live here'. Whether it was wandering along the Seine, grabbing a coffee in a tucked-away café, or just strolling through the streets with no real plan, the feeling of being part of the city, even if only for a few months, is unforgettable.
Beyond that, the experience of living in a new country, meeting people from all over the world, and adapting to a different way of life was incredibly rewarding. Every challenge, from navigating a new academic system to improving my French in everyday situations, made the experience even more fulfilling.
Advice/Top Tips
If you're considering an exchange at ESSEC, go for it - you won’t regret it! Everyone says it, but it’s true. This experience is an incredible opportunity to live, study, and explore in a completely new environment, and it will challenge and reward you in ways you never expected.
A few key tips:
Accommodation: If you want certainty over your living situation, consider private options like Themis by Colonies, rather than relying on ESSEC’s room allocation system.
Budgeting: Paris can be expensive, so plan ahead. Rent will likely be your biggest cost, and transport adds up - consider whether the unlimited transport pass is worth it for you.
Academics: The system at ESSEC is different, with longer, tutorial-style classes and a strong focus on group work. Staying organised is key, especially since you only have one class per subject each week.
Language & Culture: Even if your classes are in English, expect to hear a lot of French! Living in Cergy means fewer people speak English compared to Paris, so you’ll naturally improve your language skills just by going about daily life.
Make the most of Paris! Being able to hop on a train and explore whenever you want is one of the best parts of this exchange — walk as much as possible, get lost in the streets, and soak it all in.
At the end of the day, an experience like this is what you make of it. Say yes to opportunities, embrace the challenges, and enjoy every second of it. You’ll gain so much personally, academically, and professionally — so if you’re thinking about it, just do it!
