France Exchange – Neoma Business School, Rouen
(Institut de Formation Internationale (IFI))
Rosaline Wong Wing Man (Year 3)
OM & MGMT
[email protected]
"Once in a life time you should go for an exchange!" That’s what I was advised by senior students
when I entered the university. Coming back from France, I cannot agree more with this. In my
exchange, I have made friends of other countries, experienced another culture, travelled and explored
the world. Through all these, I find that I am not only widening my horizon, but internally I understand
more of myself. The exchange is a valuable unforgettable experience that I would always remember
throughout my life time of every tiny bit and pieces I have encountered, and the joy of hanging out with
my international friends.
Activity log
September
I had been looking forward to my
exchange and finally when I got on
board, I was overjoyed. After arrival,
I first did the check in, purchasing
daily necessities and mobile phone
card, going to the orientation and
welcoming activities. In the French
intensive courses that all the
exchange students needed to take, I
met my exchange best friend who is a
Mexican girl, Karen. And later
I travelled with Karen to German and
Belgium during the midterm break.
throughout the September, we hanged out, went to class together and also met other great friends from
different parts of the world. I also introduced my Hong Kong friends from HKUST and POLYU for
them and they all celebrated birthday for me. My UST roommates Irene and Mandy even prepared a
birthday cake at dormitory and gave me a surprise at 00:00am. My birthday in France was awesome!
I went to Colmar and Strasbourg with two Poly U girl and boy. We enjoyed the fairy-like scenery that
full of colorful houses and tried some German-French food. I also went to Paris with Irene and Mandy
which I visited a lot of tourist spots including the Lourve, Effiel Tower, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame,
Arc du Triomphe, Montmartre etc. I had also went to the world class Culinary school Le Cordon Bleu
for a three hour course, which I learnt some technique in preparing a French starter, main course and
dessert. We spent four days enjoying the arts and music at Paris and also stayed at our French friends’
home. Later I went to Norway with friends visiting Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. I had successfully
climbed on the Pulpit Rock, which is 600 m from the sea level.
October
In October, I spent most of my time at France. In the morning and afternoon, I studied and at night I
went to some gatherings with my international friends. We had a sushi night and also we had been to
Mont St. Michel with the Cultural Co. It was magnificent! The crepe and omelet were awesome as well.
I had also participated in the first running dinner which we had a great time with the French students
and enjoyed the food made by them. I also went to Paris with my Chile friend which we visited Musee
du Orsay and we went to all the places at Montmartre that filmed the famous French movie, Amelie.
I had also been to Monet Garden at Giverny near Vernon to visit the famous place where Monet lived
and painted. I travelled through co-voiturage through a French website, BlaBlaCar and also tried
hitching a ride. In late October, I went to the Halloween Party organized by school. The next day,
I went to Berlin, Frankfurt, Heidelburg, Triberg,
Freiberg, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Brussels and
Bruges with my good friend, Karen. I also met my
Exchange Buddy in Munich. He was a German boy
in exchange last semester at HKUST. It was one of
my most unforgettable trips.
November
In November, after my midterm exam, I got more
than a week vacation due to the WWI and II memorial
days. I went to United Kingdom to visit a friend who
did her exchange at London. I visited London, Bath,
Cardiff, Oxford, Cambridge, Liverpool, the Lake District,
Yorkshire and Edinburg. I had also enjoyed the renowned
opera, the Phantom of the Opera. Back to Rouen, it was
my turn to introduce France to my friend at UK who
came to visit me in late November. We went to the SaintRomain Fun Fair at Rouen and I also showed her around
Paris. We went to the Christmas Market at Champs
Elysees. It was very large with six lanes of stalls.
December
I got exam in mid-December. Apart from
studying, at night I would visit my friends’ place
and enjoy the food made by them. My Japanese
friends had made Sushi and my Vietnamese
friends had made beef soup noodles. We also
organized an international dinner ourselves and
I had made Chinese fried dumplings for them
while they made Spanish sweet rice dessert,
Italian spaghetti, sushi, Vietnamese spring rolls, Mexican tacos and Indonesian curry. In between exams,
I got about 8 days holiday in between which I spent about 3 days at Amsterdam. I met my Netherland
friend whom I met in HKUST last semester. He was my exchange buddy’s friend. I had also been to my
Wu Han friends’ home to make Chinese dumplings. We had spicy hot pot at their home and it felt like
home. During this period, we had also joint the farewell gala organized by the Culture Co. on a boat on
River Seine. After exam, I went to Paris Disneyland with my international friends as our farewell. We
watched the firework and we wished that moment could be frozen as we all know soon we were going to
part. How much I miss my exchange friends!!! I left on 23rd December with Karen saying goodbye with
me at the train station. I met my parents and sister at Vienna and spent the Christmas and New Year with
them. We went to Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, Prague, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Ivalo.
January
After saying goodbye to my parents, I took a plane to Barcelona and again I met my UK friend and started
my backpacking. We went to a lot of Gaudi’s designed building and tried paella and Sangria there. We went
to Valencia as well. Then we went to Bologna in Italy to meet my Italian exchange friend. She showed us
around the city. We had also visited Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome. After that, I had gone back to France.
I went to places in southern France such as Marseilles, Avignon, l'isle sur la sorgue and Nice. At the end, I
returned back to Paris and also to Rouen and spent my last night at France with my Japanese and Spanish
friends had full year exchange. We enjoyed great food and chatted till late night. The next morning, I said
good bye with them, and also the mum-like, friendly cleaning lady at my residence and I returned to Paris to
take the plane back to Hong Kong.
Visa Procedures
All Non-European students studying longer than 3 months in France will need to apply a student Visa.
This year onward, you only need to apply the Visa in Hong Kong at the French Consulate and you don’t
have to apply for OFII, which previously required. About two to three months before exchange, you need
to book your visa application appointment online and fix an appointment for a 15-minute academic
interview by email. The French consulate will reply your email one to two days later confirming the time
of both appointments. Probably you can have both of them on the same day at French consulate.
This part of application costs around HKD$500.
Check the following link for details.
http://www.consulfrance-hongkong.org/For-study-long-stay-more-than-3
Orientation Activities
Most of the activities for exchange students are organized by a student society at Neoma named Culture
Connection. On the first day of arrival, there are students from Culture Co to help us in carrying luggage
and check in. There are also some bar and club parties for mingling the students of different countries.
They also provide you a booklet with information about the school. The school will be hold a welcome
session for all exchange students which you will know more about what you need to purchase and register,
such as bus-card, local insurance, opening bank account, etc. There is also a one-day French intensive
course provided.
International Services & Activities
There is a student society called Culture Co. which will organize short trips, parties and also cross cultural
event here. Their office is located on G/F of building B. Well before you arrive, the member would add
you into the facebook group and keep you update of the activities through the facebook page. This year,
Culture connection has organized trip to Mont Saint Michel, Amsterdam and D-day beach. They have also
organized three running dinners which I would say is the best activity of Culture connection. Exchange
students will bring the drink to different French students’ houses and French students will cook for you.
You will go to three different houses for starter, main course and desserts. At the end, everybody go for a
club party. The Culture Co. also organizes Thanksgiving dinner and various bar party and club night. On
the other hand, if you have any question regarding your academic study and administration, the head of
international relation office, Karolina, will be there for help.
Accommodations
There are all together five residences here: Ango, Panorama, Pleaide, Galois and Bois. Panorama, Pleaide
and Galois are the most expensive one and Bois is the cheapest one. Panorama and Bois are both 5 minute
walk to school as they situated next to campus at two different gates. Ango is about 15 to 20 minute walk
to campus as it is the furthest among the five choices. It is from Panorama further down the road. Pleaide
is from Bois further down the road and is approximately 10 to 15 minute walk to school depending on the
building you live. Galois is at Place Colbert and it is about 7 to 10 minute to campus.
Ango usually has the most international exchange students living in and it is the residence of parties.
Every week there are at least two pre-parties where people afterward will go to bar or club downtown. It is
quite new, with a shared kitchen and bathroom for two but you will have your own room and toilet. If you
are party king or queen it would be a good choice. But if you treasure quiet living environment then Ango
will not be a good idea.
Galois is the most expensive residence. It is quite convenient to get to the campus and it is at Place Colbert
where you can easily accessible to the town bakery, bank, markets and book stores. There are also many
buses pass through Place Colbert to get to downtown or Carrefour.
Panorama is very clean and new. You have your own kitchen, toilette and bathroom. It is quite large and it
is convenient to go to school and downtown. However, it is second expensive to Galois.
Pleaide includes single and double room. Every year, there is a high demand in double room as it is
cheaper when sharing out a room with friend while the area is large. Single room of Pleaide is expensive
while you also get your own kitchen, toilette and bathroom. As for double room, you will have your kitchen
and bathroom shared out.
Bois is the cheapest but also the oldest residence. You will have to share kitchen and bathroom with
the whole floor. The bathroom is even shared among girls and boys. Fortunately you have your own
refrigerator and also toilette. I live in Bois. Personally I don’t like it but I get used to it soon.
Courses Registration
Around mid of June, you will receive email from Karolina is the international coordinator. She will guide
you for the pre-departure process. She will also send you an email in late June where you will receive
course catalogue. The timetable of courses will be available in early August. You can register courses in
mid-August and you can take both IFI and MGE program courses. The online course registration system
in Neoma is similar to that of HKUST. The only different is you need to do the registration for all the
courses together for one time and submit your whole list of courses taken. Usually students on exchange
take 5 to 6 courses. Some popular course may be full quickly. You should plan carefully for your courses as
they may affect your travel plan and credit transfer.
Teaching & Assessment Methods
I have taken five courses:
French for Communication A1-2
Managing Domestic or International Projects (IPM)
Entrepreneurship - Dream or reality?
Strategic Management
Purchasing, Procurement and SCM
“French for Communication A1-2” is not so difficult for people who have learnt a little bit of French before.
The professor is very nice and she helped students to understand some basic grammar and bring their
French into a new level.
“Managing Domestic or International Projects (IPM)” covers all the steps of project management. It is
highly practical which you also get the chance to learn from working on a simulation case with your group.
You can learn a lot through this and it is fun to take this course.
“Entrepreneurship - Dream or reality?” is useful and enlightening especially if you are interested to have
your own business in the future in the high technology field. It is about how to prepare a persuasive
business plan, not just in words, but through the ideas to attract investors to invest on your new business.
You get the chance to learn how to write business plan in this course.
Strategic Management is interesting as the professor showed you the difference of strategies and tactics
and push students to think more on a long term workable strategy. We analyze real cases of company in
this class and at the end we get a presentation on it.
“Purchasing, Procurement and SCM” covers basic method in supply chain management and purchasing.
It is about how people buy in raw materials, management inventories and sell it. It focuses a lot on pricing
and inventory management.
Sports & Recreation Facilities
There is not much Recreation Facilities here except a gym next to Bois but it costs you 50 euro per month
and you need a medical certificate prepared from the nurse at clinic to proof that your health condition is
suitable for doing intensive sports.
Health & Safety
There is a campus doctor on Mont Saint Aignan near the University of Rouen which is free of charge. You
can also find pharmacies at Place Colbert and downtown. But it is better to bring your own medicine.
Tap water in most of the countries in Europe is safe to drink. However, the tap water in Rouen is saturated
with calcium which the water is milky. It is safe to drink but it would be better to have a water filter or buy
bottled water. Tap water in Paris is safe to drink.
Cost/Expenses
Items
Air tickets(Qatar Airline)
Visa Accommodation
Insurance
Social Security
Daily expense+ Travel
Total
Expense (HKD)
8756
900
10360
290
2130
Approx. 80000
Approx. 102436
Social Clubs & Networking Opportunities
Like what mentioned above, the Culture Co. will organize a lot of activities for exchange students to get to
know one another and also activities to mingle with the local students. A lot of parties and events are held
and they are worth joining.
There are also Arts Club, Sports Club etc which you may join it for your own interest and hobbies.
Food
In Rouen, there are a few supermarkets. The biggest one is Carrefour at Mont Saint Aignan. You can get
there by F2 from campus. At Carrefour, you can find all the daily necessities you need, such as electronic
appliances, cooking pan and utensils, food and drink, body care products, cosmetics, pajamas and some
household products. You can also buy fresh food at a cheaper price at Place Colbert market. Although
it looks small, indeed there is quite a large variety of food there. You can find dairy products, egg, fruit
and veggies, seafood, meat store and also bakery. However, you need to speak with the shop keeper in
French as they didn’t know much English. But they are very friendly. There is also super-U and it takes
you 30 minute walk. It is smaller and only sells food and drink. Another store named Simply and it is at
downtown. It is much cheaper than Carrefour but it is smaller and similar to Parknshop and Wellcome in
Hong Kong. There are small Chinese food store, one called Asie situated along Jean d’Arc and one named
Kyushu situated at the alley opposite to Palais du Justice. There is a good Chinese restaurant near Theatre
des Arts. You can also find Mexican Restaurant along the road to Saint Marc and you may want to try
French Fromage Fondue at Maître Corbeau. In Paris, you may want to try Japanese Ramen at Hokkaido
and Kotteri Ramen Naritake. You can also try Angelina’s chocolate, the famous historical tea store in Paris
where Coco Chanel enjoyed going. But it is quite expensive. I have also been to Polidor in Paris. It is where
you can try real taste of France and it is also a historical place where Ernest Hemingway and Victor Hugo
had been there for meal. The crepe stores right next to Moulin Rouge in Montmartre is my favourite store.
If you opt for cheaper options, you may have Baguette and Kebab. Paul bakery is everywhere in France. If
you want to try the dessert there, I suggest you to open a Paul card for free to store points for redeeming
gifts.
Transportation
Within Rouen, it is easily accessible from school at Mont Saint Aignan to downtown by Astuce Bus Rouen
line 8, F2 and T1 bus. These three buses with bus stops near or next to the campus and the buses will bring
you to the train station, the main street Jean d’arc and also cathedral. It costs you 1.6 euro per voyage
while you can also purchase 8.20 euro 10 voyage tickets instead. Some students will have monthly pass but
it is economical unless you frequently go downtown. It costs you around 23 to 25 euro.
Exchange students love travel and explore around. If you want to go to other cities and countries, it is
actually quite convenient. You can take train at Gare de Rouen Rive Droite and transit at Paris or Lille.
You can either board on another train, or take megabus, Eurolines or take Ryanair and easy jet. If you
travel frequently by train through the French train company SNCF, it is highly recommended to buy a
carte jeune. It is applicable to people age 12-25 and it provides you 20-25% discount for every voyage.
Another way of travelling is by covoiturage. It is always a cheaper options and it is quite common here
in Europe. You can find people driving to different places from one cities to another at certain date by
blablacar. It is quite safe but it would be better if you travel by covoiturage together with a friend.
Climate
Rouen is located in Normandy. It is in the northern France and it rains a lot. Thus, umbrella is a must.
In autumn to winter, it is kind of cold. In Sept, you can wear long sleeves already. It is approximately
13-18 degrees in Rouen. In winter Nov – Jan, you definitely need thick coat, something with wool or
down feather jacket. It would be perfect if it is waterproof. In Rouen, it is about 3-8 degrees here in
early December. I would also recommend you to bring hat, gloves and boots. However, in Paris or
southern France, or even southern Europe, the weather is super-hot in September and early October. The
temperature is around 27-30 degrees. So it would be a good idea to bring 3-4 summer T-shirts. Basically
the weather here started to get colder in mid-October and it is also the time that the school switches on the
centralized heater in all the classrooms and residence.
Cautionary measures
Indeed I have encountered a lot here in Europe. To be frank, Europe is not that safe when compared to
Hong Kong. But if you be careful and not to stay out late at night or early in the morning when it is still
dark, then it would be fine. At night, especially for girls, it is always better to have somebody to accompany
with you. In Europe, it is common to find groups of gypsies who may ask you to do a survey, sign and
donate money, take pictures for you or directly put a wrist band to your hands. If you saw these people,
walk as far as possible or put on an angry face. I have encountered a group surrounding my friend and me
at Paris at Champ Elysees (Yes, it is the main road and anything can happen even it is a busy and pretty
safe road). Fortunately a French guy shouted at them and we were safe without losing anything. Thus,
don’t walk to small alley and always with a money belt to place your passport and money to prevent being
robbed.
Also, when there are strange people asking you for time, name etc, pretend that you do not know French
or English as it is a common way of robbery that they wait for you to take your phone out to check the time
and rob you.
In addition, never run after the robber. I got robbed at Germany by two guys and my phone was gone. I
saw one of them again and I run after them. But he turned into a dark alley and I stopped. Indeed what
I did was wrong. It was very dangerous to run after robbers as they may lead you to a group of gangsters
which you would be seriously hurt by them.
In Europe there are many people drink at night and you should beware of drunken guys. I have been to
party with friends at night and also taking night train. Some drunken guys may come forward and talk to
you asking where you are going or asking you for intimate behavior with them. Never look at their eyes
directly or answer them. Also, try walk as far as possible. I was being grabbed by a man towards himself
and luckily a friend saved me.
I had also encountered being followed and the boy who followed me driving a car asked me to get on it.
But don’t be scared by all these incidents I have encountered. Europe is beautiful, historical and has a
lot to see. If you don’t stay out late at night, always with group of friends, not to get into dark and narrow
alleys, take good care of your luggage and bags, and also stay alert from strangers, you will be quite safe in
Europe.
Checklist
- Universal adaptors, chargers for laptop, camera and phone.
- Winter and summer clothes and shoes
- Medicine
- Umbrella
- Personal care products and skincare products
- Birth certificate
- Copies of your passport and other important document (airplane ticket, insurance certificate)
- Cash and credit card
- USB
- Backpack
- Photos
- Party dress and shoes (optional)
- Stationary