Discover the testimonial of Manon Lagier, on an academic exchange at Richmond University
Manon, a Business Management student at EDHEC International BBA, joined an academic exchange programme in her 3rd year. In this interview, she shares her experiences in London.
Why did you choose London for your academic exchange?
I've always wanted to live in London. What's more, improving my english was a main factor in the exchange for me. London didn't disappoint, and I loved my experience abroad. The city is beautiful, there's so much to do (I even regret not travelling around the rest of the UK), and because it's such a cosmopolitan city, I made friends from so many different backgrounds!
How did you find your accommodation?
The student residence where I was living works in partnership with the school. This meant that a large number of people from Richmond University lived in the same residence as me. I found it reassuring to live in the same place as my friends and it was easier to organise outings.
Was there a particular course that stood out for you?
Of all the courses I chose at Richmond University, my favourite was Psychology of Fashion and Luxury goods. I'd never studied consumer trends from a psychological perspective, and the course was really interesting. Being in a small class (about 15 students) made interactions easier and the course more lively. What's more, the teacher was a great listener. And the course was illustrated by field trips to apply the principles learned in class to real-life situations.
How did your integration go?
Richmond University has a number of support services to help us during our academic exchange. We attended presentations by the school associations and campus visits and were able to take part in many of the activities on offer (visits to Buckingham Palace, Oxford, etc.). Some activities were reserved just for exchange students, which made it easier to meet new people. Other activities were organized by the school all through the semester, like the induction evening and the end-of-year ball. So it was very easy to integrate the university.
What cultural differences did you notice?
In England, I found people more open-minded, especially in the capital. London is a city where you feel safe. Unlike France, we do everything very early (for example, we have dinner around 6/6.30pm). But generally speaking, there weren't any major cultural differences, given that the English way of life is very similar to that of France.
