Semester in France: Studying at UPEC and Unforgettable Travels
An exchange semester is a unique opportunity not only to study but also to discover a new world. Nikita Sentyurin, a third-year student of the Business Administration program, spent a semester at UPEC in France, combining lectures and projects with travels across Europe. In this story, he shares his impressions of the education system, French culture, and the unforgettable moments of his time abroad.
Hi! My name is Nikita, and I’m a third-year student of the Business Administration program. I spent the first semester of this academic year in France, and I’m excited to share my impressions with you. :)
When choosing a host university, I considered several factors, including city size, country, travel opportunities, and university rankings. It was important for me to spend six months in an EU country, so Asia, Mexico, and Morocco were immediately ruled out. I also wanted travel to play a significant role in my time abroad, so I chose a city with excellent transportation infrastructure, eliminating German universities and the University of Pécs from the list. Ultimately, my priorities led me to the following options:
- IPAG Business School, Paris
- UPEC, Paris — which I ultimately chose
- Corvinus University, Budapest
Preparation for the trip began well in advance of my planned departure. Just a month after receiving my “acceptance” letter, I started gathering documents for a visa — which I finally got by late June. The next step in my mental preparation was saying goodbye to friends and family: I visited everyone close to me, made promises to return, and, of course, received lots of advice for the journey. Finally, I took care of practical matters — finding an apartment and purchasing tickets. I also bought a camera with plenty of film rolls and updated my wardrobe a bit.
Well, France, here I come! Oh, wait… I’m in Istanbul. Unsurprisingly, this became the first stop on my journey from Russia to Europe. After wandering around and enjoying the city’s nightscapes, I finally reached Paris. However, I spent less time there initially than in Istanbul because I immediately embarked on a week-long trip to southern France.
My first impressions were, oddly enough, contradictory. Not in a negative way — quite the opposite. Everything felt simultaneously familiar and completely new, as if I had never experienced anything like it before. Maybe it was because I had never been to Europe before.
Culturally, the French can seem like a country-sized royal family. This impression comes from several things: many locals don’t speak English, and there’s a perceived aloofness toward foreigners. Spoiler alert: the latter is largely a myth, often fueled by stereotypes about American tourists. In fact, this “facade” quickly crumbles after you utter a few basic phrases in French: bonjour, merci, excusez-moi, pas de souci. Once they sense even the slightest willingness to integrate, most French people reveal a different side — one that is kind, understanding, and respectful. Politeness plays a huge role in their culture; gallantry isn’t just a sign of status or education — it’s a necessity. Hence, communication is almost always formal, accompanied by constant apologies.
As for the university, the local students were exceptionally friendly, caring, and eager to help. The educational system in France differs from ours, as there isn’t the typical “Lecture-Seminar” format. Instead, classes are a hybrid of the two, combining interactivity with theoretical depth.
The professors were engaging, with most of them balancing teaching with industry work, which allowed them to share valuable insights. The most impressive instructor for me was Éric Herzler, the Head of the International Relations Department. He was responsible for teaching a business communication course, which I found both practical and fascinating. The skills I acquired were put to the test in December when we had to present projects for two disciplines — Strategic Management and Project Management. These projects constituted a significant portion of our grades at UPEC, though traditional exams also took place.
Travel opportunities were abundant. There was plenty of time to explore, and it was more affordable than a week-long vacation in Anapa. It all came down to your priorities and desire to travel. I managed to visit three countries besides France — the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland — as well as more than ten towns and villages in my new “home country.” To future exchange students, I’d strongly recommend not overlooking France itself — the real, authentic France hidden in the Alps, the plains of Provence and Occitania, and the coasts of Normandy and Brittany.
There’s so much to remember. Too much to recount, really. Images flash before my eyes — the night skies of Grenoble, the majestic and unyielding mountains of Switzerland, the warmth of the people who surrounded me throughout this journey. After such an experience, I can only say that the exchange program enriched me in many ways — with friendships, experiences, perspectives, and knowledge. But not financially — it’s no coincidence that Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Finally, to all the brave students who dare to step beyond their comfort zones — go for it! It might seem like you have plenty of time, but you really don’t. The chance to be this free from worries, expectations, and everyday problems might never come again.
