D-I-E - France

The most unusual and quite frankly, terrible thing that happened during my experience was that I had my electricity cut from my apartment for 10 days. One day I come home from school and I try to turn on the lights, but they don’t seem to work, at that moment I just assumed that the bulb had gone out, so I let it be. Then I proceeded to get something from my fridge and noticed that the lights did not work there either, at this moment I realized that I don’t have any electricity. I immediately tried to call the electric company EDF, and they told me that the residence manager in my student residence had cut it, they were baffled by the occurrence as well, since it was without reason, I had paid my rent, my electric bills and everything, but for some unknown reason this happened, they then offered an appointment for the electrician to come and put my electricity back on on a designated day, but the electrician never showed up, in total I had to make three appointments and call them numerous times each day over the 10 day period. I couldn’t believe that this could happen. I felt absolutely furious and I demanded reimbursements for all the cold showers I had to take, and the food that I had to throw away. In the end the electrician came and I got my electricity back, and the electric company also paid for the trouble they had caused.

Fortunately there was a common room
where I could charge my laptop and phone.

The reason why this happened is still unknown, when I tried to confront the residence manager about it, she was clueless as well, and she then put the blame on the electric company, even though the electric company told me that she was the one who cut the electricity. One theory that I had was that perhaps she meant to cut the electricity from another apartment and accidentally cut mine but was too proud to admit it was her mistake. Or, it could have also been some kind of a bug in the system of the electric company, or maybe the electric company had made the accident, because I did find an envelope in my mailbox saying that they will cut the electricity from my apartment on a designated day, it will forever remain a mystery. And the funny part is that I could have prevented it if I just had checked my mailbox on a daily basis.

It was not the most pleasant 10 days of my life for sure, and honestly I was quite depressed and angry during that period, but on the other hand, I began to appreciate the fact that I still had a roof over my head, and that I shouldn’t take these kinds of things for granted. When I told my French friends about this, they were less surprised about it than my Finnish friends for example, what I have understood from the French culture is that if you really want things to work, you must complain, a lot.

Letter Home - Jussi Kärkinen

I am currently doing a double-degree in La Rochelle, Excelia Group Business School. In order to acquire the double-degree I have to study in the fourth year for one academic year. The courses we have had have been really great, the school really emphasises on quality learning approaches, we have had professors from all over the globe, for example the U.S, Ireland, Canada, Great Britain just to name a few. Furthermore I would like to point out that we have had a lot of group projects, and I mean a lot of group projects, which has been really beneficial since our class is very culturally diverse.

In Centria, I am studying in the Finnish track of BBA, which is the Tradenomi- program, before going to La Rochelle I had completed one academic year.

The study culture is really present in La Rochelle, our school offers a lot of activities for students, such as sailing, gym, music, La Rochelle itself seemed to be a really student based city, and the city is really lively, there’s a lot of events happening at all times. The group that we have, as I previously mentioned, is really multicultural, we have over 10 nationalities in our class. Overall, I have found my classmates to be really interesting and friendly people.

Typically our school days start quite late, like around 10 – 14 but at the latest we would stay in school until 8pm. Me personally I enjoyed the advantage of sleeping in, so normally I would wake up maybe two hours before going to school, watch some TV, make breakfast and go to school and come home, nothing too special, although occasionally me and my classmates would go to an Irish pub for a drink or two. I enjoy having walks around the harbour and adore the architecture of the boats and the buildings, and also I happen to live about 200 meters away from McDonald’s and Burger King, so sometimes I go there to grab some food.

At first it was hard to get accommodated to studying in a foreign language, all the business lingo was very unfamiliar to me since I had previously studied in Finnish language, but fortunately it was a temporary issue, now I know the words and the definitions of things in English as well.

The thing I have enjoyed the most so far has been the people, everybody is so different and they come from completely different cultures, and that is something I find quite important, being able to learn and exchange experiences from our countries.

D-I-E France

I think I can about many cultural and episodes that are different from my culture and finnish culture in general but one that stand over all of the them was the manifestations and protest across the country regarding the taxes that were increased in the country.

Describe:

People started to organized to protest on the rise of taxes that the state was imposing. People first started talking about it and then expressing their disagreement till the point where non centralized groups started to appear with a common thing and idea. They characterize for using a yellow vest and to go on protest across the country with different activities till the extreme point of burning cars, business destruction, confrontation with the authorities and city destruction in general. People were in expressing that those taxes in the rise of fuels where affecting small businesses and country side people that had no other way to travel and do their affairs without a vehicle compare to the people in the big cities with other means of transportation like metro and buses. 

I manage to see close friends in France that were affected by these taxes and they shared with me their perspectives in how the state didn't look beforehand in the consequences that this decisions where carrying out. I didn't know what to feel as I have never experience in first hand something like this in my life inside Mexico and Finland. I was just thinking about different ways of protesting and different ways to find a solution to all this. 

Interpret:

I think and I know people were really tired of the amount of taxes they have to pay as it looks they were affecting the life of people with low incomes that had no means to go through their daily life.  Also I could see that French culture is characterized to stand for their rights and express their nonconformity with the situations in the country. I try to explain to myself that the only way to reach the government and public attention was to go down to the path of extreme means and actions and that is way many business, cars and material things as well as confrontation with police took place in the protests.  

Evaluate: 

In a way and with non intentions of being close to the situation and ended up living the events and experience everything really close. I had to travel to Paris for a university event where Centria was present and we as students of the university were going to help. I traveled by train with two other students from Finland, the first event took place when police stopped me to search and check all my luggage because of their concerned I might be going to Paris to protest and they wanted to be sure I was not carrying any dangerous materials or tools. I explained them that I was a student from Mexico representing a Finnish institute and that's when they calmed down but of course I could feel the tense environment and their efforts to control everything around the country as authorities. When we arrived to Paris we found out hundreds of Police officers guarding the railway stations and street sidewalks around the city, they stopped me one more time to check my backpack and my documents. I have to point out that this have never happened to me in Mexico or Finland. Of course I felt a bit uncomfortable but I kept my nerves as I knew they were doing their job. I didn't have a negative or positive feeling but just a neutral feeling of being a third party and casualty of the events. Not long after that we were able to witnessed how 10 police cars just stopped in a fast action to detained three persons in the street, we could see they were heavily armed and that was a bit shocking even though in my country we have sometimes the presence of the army in our street but of course in Finland this is not the case. We walked away and then we found the manifestation in our way to the university event we were trying to assist. Police stopped us again to ask about our intentions and they gave us orders to walk in a different direction to avoid the conflict.

When we went out of our event with Centria it was night and the protests were all over the city we saw burning cars and people fighting with the police, most of the people were covering their faces and they were breaking windows and shouting they non conformity with the regulations of the state. 

At the end I can imagine myself in the shoes of those people but also is hard to fully understand the situations. I could see and understand how this regulations affect people with no means to live their life because the state is asking them to pay more taxes and of course as the situation grows the people run out of tools to convince the state of taking a different approach. In the other way around I can't imagine myself doing or protesting in the way these people were but I guess is because I have never been in the edge of something affecting my life till the point I can't no longer live with dignity.

I hope this was not to dark for other students in the blog with intentions to travel but I have to say that these things happen all across the globe in one way or another and it is important to be informed and to take it easy in an objective way.

Letter home - Diego Villegas Salazar

Hello, my name is Diego Villegas Salazar, I study business management in Centria and I had the opportunity to studied in Excelia University in La Rochelle, France. 

I can tell you that the educational system in France compared to the system we have in Finland is different in many aspects. One of the big differences is the amount of hours that are invested in going to the courses and the projects at home, especially when times of exams are coming. People can also find out that the amount of information each course has is bigger than the ones in Finland. My personal opinion is that their educational system lacks on efficient and effective learning methods but offers in the same way a great amount of data and theory for their students. 

About the educational culture in the host university and country in general, I can tell you that students like to study in groups and might be always in front of their computers.  Many projects are given in the length of a semester and most of the projects are presented in groups. Courses are divided  in individual assignments, group projects and final exam that most of the time covers half of the percentage of the total course. All assignments and projects were focused on theory and students culture is to recreate enterprise conditions to imagine what they might find in the  professional world.

It was common to go to school in the morning, around 8 am and end up our classes around 3 pm to 5 pm. There used to be a gap of half an hour to one hour to eat before classes continued.

My study group was conformed of students mainly from Europe, there were Germans, Finnish, Spanish, Belgians, Italians, Estonians and some other students from Vietnam, USA, China and India.

As for my daily life, I can tell you that La Rochelle is a mix of tourists and students so in general a beautiful place with a present nightlife. There are many cultural attractions and places to visit, stores are close to the town center but they close around 22:00 and on the week ends was really hard to  find them open specially on Sunday where everything was closed. So our days started early going to school with a lunch break. I have to remark here that for French people it is important the lunch hour and therefore most of the services are out from 12 mid day to 2 pm. After hour classes it was common to finish couple of assignments and try to get ready for regular meetings with other students in the restaurants, pubs and clubs. It was a bit difficult to travel around France because of the expensive tickets that the train company manage but inside La Rochelle there were a lot of activities that let us enjoy our time in the country. Food was expensive and as well as the rent of the apartments around the city. 

Some of the best things about La Rochelle is the nightlife and the touristic places that they have. The food is a great thing and if you like wine that is the country of excellence. They have a good taste in fashion and they try to keep things in a classic way. 

In the other side, I don't like the way operations are manage, and I mean in general the way of doing things in France include a huge process of bureaucracy and this make everything complex. People sometimes they were a bit rude even though they say that is their way of being.

The highlight of my experience and time in France as a student was the award my team and I got for an exercise were we simulate companies and were we obtained the first place among the companies in our market for best performance.

The highlight outside the university was the big trip we made from Finland to France and France  to Finland by car.  A lot of adventures and things to see.

Hope some of the things that I put here help someone else to know just a bit more about what can they find in France.   

I attached two pictures of how beautiful was the city and how crazy was the nightlife. :)

Letter Home - Nguyen Le

1. In what country and University are you studying?
I did my Double Degree Program at Sup de Co, La Rochelle, France

2. In what Study program are you studying at Centria?
Business Management 

3. What are the courses like at the host University?
In France, there is more student per class than in Finland, sometimes it can come up to 120 students in the class.There are courses about major study where we were divided into smaller groups and French class is compulsory for all the exchange students. 

4. Describe the study culture?
I would say the study culture in France is more formal and more tense than in Finland. For exapmle, we had to call the teacher as professor, monsieur or madam with their last names. During the class, no drinks or food are allowed, even coffee or tea, we had to finish before the class. The study pace is super fast, some subjects are finished within only a week (5 days a week, 6-7 hours a day studying only 1 subject) with a lot of homework and assignment, so it was a bit overwhelming and stressful for me at first but by the time, I got used to with it. However, 1 weird thing i found in France that een it was a quite professional and formal environment, the teacher sometimes cancel the class or allow us to go home early because "the weather is so sunny and beautiful today to stay in class".


5. What is your study group like?
We were divided into 2 groups, French-speaking class and English-speaking class and most of my classmates are also exchange students. The class is really international: 50 students come from nearly different 20 countries. We are pretty close to each other, partly because of we are all new to La Rochelle.

6. Please describe what the everyday life is like in your host country? What do you like in particular?
Most of my days went around the university, the supermarket, the beach and home. On the afternoon which we did not have class, me and my friends will go swimming or sunbathing on the beach with a bottle of wine. On every Thursday, we had the student night so everyone went out to the bars and parties. In the weekend, I mostly met with my friends, cooking dinner, chilling on the beach or drive to Ile de Ré (the beautiful island closes to La Rochele). I also spent good time with my host family, they taught me to cook French food and some French language, I taught them to cook Vietnamese food and sometimes we drove to another city to shopping.
I really like the French way of life. Even though sometimes I complained about their laziness and bureaucracy, the French people really know how to enjoy the life: They love good food (dinner can last 3-4 hours), good wine, balance life-work and having fun with friends. I love discovering new things with other exchang students and adpat into the French lifestyle.

7. What has been challenging? Why?
I would say that language is the most challenging thing during my exchange. Not many people in France speak in French, therefore, it is neccessary to learn basic French for the daily tasks like eating out, doing groceries, paying bills, emails, etc. Sometimes, even the teachers had some trouble speaking English and a French student in my class had to translate. 

8. What has been the highlight of your exchange so far?
I think the most highlight during my exchange is the people I met in La Rochelle. Since we are all exchange students, we are quite close with, always try to help each other when in needand we continue to keep this bond after our exchange period. They literally made my Eramus exchange better.
My second highlight is that I can choose my study major in Sup de Co. And I chose 'Luxury Marketing' since I think it's such an interesting opportunity and not many countriy or universitity offerred this major. I had chance to work with many experts in the luxury field in France and I have learned a lot during my exchange.

D-I-E France

1. Describe
During my stay in La Rochelle, the city had 2-3 days of snow in January. It was quite exciting for me since it has been almost a year I hadn't seen snow. However, I was quite surprise that the city was almost shut down during these days. The school was closed, the buses stoped running, most of the restaurants, cafe, shops and supermarkets were closed. I found it really strange because snow is not somthing abnormal in France, especially, the amount of wet snow in La Rochelle is very little.

2. Interpret
After talking with my host family, I knew that was the first snow in La Rochelle in 20 years. The coastal city is usually humid and La Rochelle is quite in the South of France so it has less snow than other parts in the country. The people also find it difficult during the daily activities like driving, walking or shopping, many old people had to go the hospital since they fell on the ice. On the other hand, people got excited with the snow. For example, my host family, the 60-year-old couples went out to the backyard and enjoying the snow with their grandchildrens.

3. Evaluate
This experience recalled my first time in Finland: As a girl from a tropical country (Vietnam), I was thrilling when seeing snow the first time in Kokkola. I think I can partly understand how the people here feeling. Even though I found it strange at first, I had fun with my host family, I built the snowman with their grandchildren and all of us enjoyed the hot chocolate beside the fireplace at night.

Introduction - Diego Villegas

La Rochelle, France.

My name is Diego, I am 24 years old. I am currently studying business administration and soon I will be doing my exchange at La Rochelle Business School in France. My expectations according to the university are great, because I hope that the level of demand is greater than what I am now accustomed to. This is because I would like to be able to experience the different ways of working in different countries and cultures. According to my friends; French students in Centria university, the way of studies and the rhythm the have in France is different to the one's in the educational system here in Finland. But the way of working and doing things it's similar to what I was used to in my home country, Mexico. 

I previously had the opportunity to live in France and learn about the culture and way of living in different parts of the country, for this reason I am looking to pay more attention to the details of daily life in French society, especially when doing business. I am also interested in my knowledge of the French language and to improve the relationships I have with old friends who live in the country and who are in the same line of studies as me. On the other hand, as I mentioned in my motivational letter to make my exchange. Before studying business administration, I studied international relations, and the topic of multiculturalism in different countries has always been of my interests, now more focused on doing business or working in a multicultural markets.

I believe my life and time in France will be pleasant, and it will be great to be back to a country that gave me so much years ago. I go there with a different vision and perspective. La Rochelle is a unknown place for me but I believe is going to be peaceful and interesting. 

The idea that La Rochelle is a city with a big population of students motivate me to open in an easier way to the new life there. Is not always easy when there are not people with similar ideas, backgrounds or lifestyles, but the student aspect make everything a lot easier.  

Introduction-Miika Raninen

Greetings,

I'm Miika Raninen I'm 21-years-old and I look forward to achieving double degree in business management from La Rochelle. La Rochelle named after the city is a private school located in France. I have heard many things from student's there who are currently doing their exchange at Centria about the facility of La Rochelle. School seems to be more demanding than what I'm used to but that is something I was hoping for as I believe pressure is required in order to grow in your professional life.

Networking is of course an opportunity that is granted by the exchange. Personally I wish to spend most of my time with French people instead of solely doing things with other exchange students as I have learned from my friends who have returned from exchange that the experience is better if you take the effort to really dive in to the local culture. Language is also best learned when you are not only surrounded by people who speak it but also interact with them. I wish to get to know many people out side of school as well to broaden my horizons.

I personally prefer smaller towns 80 000 people of La Rochelle is more than enough for me. Instead of traveling around I prefer to stay there and get to know the city through out all though places don't matter to me that much it's the people in them.

I don't believe in planning I believe in preparation. Therefore I have some guidelines that I will follow in La Rochelle but I will not restrict myself too much.

Environment at least is something different!

D-I-E France

1. DESCRIBE: Think of one episode that has left you confused or that you think was strange/different. Describe the object or situation in concrete, observable terms. What happened in the interaction? What was said? What did you see? What did you feel at the moment?

Maybe the first time I was greeted in French way, by faire la bise. I knew about this way of greeting before coming here. Me not growing up with this or not used to it, it was different and caught me by surprise. To faire la bise, you touch cheeks lightly and kiss the air.

2. INTERPRET: Think of possible explanations (interpretations) for what you observed or experienced. From your cultural perspective, try to explain why you think this situation or experience occurred? Try to find at least 3 different interpretations of the interaction or occurrence. What cultural information have you used to produce these interpretations?

To faire la bise is just a normal way to greet your friends here. You see this everywhere regardless of age and gender. The feeling of it being different was just because I wasn't used to it and known with it.

3. EVALUATE: Evaluate what you observed or experienced. What positive or negative feelings do you have regarding the situation? Consider how you might feel if you were a member of the host culture and held the dominant cultural values and beliefs?

If I were French this would've been just a normal everyday situation. I'm used to this way of greeting now. It feels nice to get used to your host country's customs and understand it a bit more.

Letter home - Sointu

1. In what country and University are you studying?
- I'm studying in La Rochelle, France. The University is Groupe Sup de Co La Rochelle, or La Rochelle Business School.

2. In what Study program are you studying at Centria?
- In Centria I'm studying Business Administration.

3. What are the courses like at the host University?
- So far I've been studying French, International strategic management and Cost and budgeting management. The courses have been interesting.

4. Describe the study culture?
- Studies include lectures. In addition to that we have case studies to solve and discuss, and scheduled e-learning. And of course homework.

5. What is your study group like?
- The study groups have been nice. The groups are not too massive and are generally calm.

6. Please describe what the everyday life is like in your host country? What do you like in particular?
- The everyday life is quite similar to Finland. Maybe the most noticeable difference is lunchtime. People take time for lunch. Around 12 to 14 o'clock most of the offices etc. are closed. And the cheek kisses as greeting. La Rochelle is a nice coastal town. I like the atmosphere here.

7. What has been challenging? Why?
- I'd say the most challenging part was the beginning; getting an apartment and all the paperwork sorted out. Luckily I got help and things are getting easier as I get to know the language and culture more and more.

8. What has been the highlight of your exchange so far?
- I can't really choose one particular thing. I'd say the highlight so far has been getting to know more about the city, country and the language.

Introduction: Sointu Rossinen

Hello

My name is Sointu Rossinen. I'm studying Business Administration in Centria UAS, Kokkola.

I'm going to La Rochelle, France. I chose this destination because of the double degree possibility. I'm hoping to improve my language skills in French and English. Also I want to learn more about the culture and the way of life.