Is there a difference between the French vs American university systems? Yes. But what’s it really like to go and study abroad in France from the United States?
A student from Michigan State University recently arrived in France to study at KEDGE Business School Bordeaux.
In this article she shares her experience and the main differences between the French and American education systems.
Arrival in France
So far I like all of my classes here at KEDGE. I think that the professors are awesome, I like the subject matter of all of my courses, and I’ve made a bunch of new and awesome friends. The campus is amazing and the rooms are super nice and tech-friendly.
Some day soon I will write a new article with more about my experience and upload pictures too I promise. I’ve booked some tours of France as I hope to see as much of the country as possible too. But here are some of the things I have experienced with regards to the French education system.
Adapting to the French Academic System
Over the last three weeks I have grown accustomed to the French collegiate academic climate. So far the only thing that the French have in common with the American university system is that they usually lecture for a portion of the class and then they break you into groups for classwork.
However, there is one major difference.
My classes here are 3 hours long. Yep, you heard me. 3. The cool part about this is that they only have class once a week. However, by the end of that three hours I am so ready to leave it’s sometimes hard to pay attention.
I can’t speak for all French universities, but I can say that KEDGE is really fond of group work. I have been placed into teams of 4 to 6 students for every single class that I have, and all have some sort of semester long project that includes a research paper and some sort of long final presentation.
Another major difference is the atmosphere of the class. The student/professor relationship here is much more formal than back in the states. I can’t say for sure yet whether I like it quite yet, because I am so used to the casual approach it takes some getting used to. I certainly think the formality is helpful, because most of the French students in my classes continually talk throughout the lecture.
One of the biggest shocks was my first International Business class, there was a French student talking to his friend instead of listening to the lecture and the professor walked right up to him and started scolding him (very loudly) and told him to get out of her class if he still wanted to talk. The same thing would have happened to a student back home who was talking, however, it was just so abrupt and unexpected that it scared me a little.
The structure the French classes provide is helpful because most of my classes have a lot more people than they would back at MSU. However, I really do like being able to walk up to my professors back home and talking to them about something and going to office hours.
That’s the other thing. Office hours are almost non-existant here. I asked my professor if she held any office hours and she just looked at me and told me to make an appointment but she is only available for 3 hours a week. All of which I have class so it’s a lot more about figuring out all your coursework and materials yourself.
Overall
So far I’m really enjoying my study abroad program in France. So far I haven’t run into any problems with the school administration yet knock on wood. However, I will keep you posted.