Ecole Centrale de Lyon & INSA Lyon & INSEEC Lyon I Master of Science Engineering & Digital Marketing Management I Study in France

Name: Olga

From: Ukraine

Country of Study: France

Start of Studies Abroad: 2018

Degree: Master of Science

Universities & Programs: 1) Ecole Centrale de Lyon & INSA Lyon – Engineering and Technologies 2) INSEEC Lyon – Digital Marketing Management

Program Satisfaction: 3/5

Internship: Yes

Work Contract: Yes

🎓 Application

How did you learn about this program?

1) From the dual degree program coordinator

2) From acquaintances’ recommendations, and my own research.

Why did you decide to enroll in this program? What were the decisive factors?

1) A long-awaited scholarship to a European university

2) the opportunity to gain work experience in France.

Tell us about the selection process for the program. What did you have to pass?

1) IELTS 7.0, GPA 16/20.

2) Presentation of my professional project (10 slides) + multiple choice questions (management + marketing) + a one-hour motivation interview.

What level of English was required?

1) IELTS 6.5.

2) They didn’t ask for a certificate but required B2-C1 level since some courses were in English.

What level of French was required?

1) No French was requested.

2) For those with a French diploma, no certificate was required; for foreign diplomas, DALF C1 was needed.

💡 Your impressions from your study abroad experience

What are your general impressions of the program?

Unfortunately, the dual degree program was not exactly what I wanted, but it allowed me to get a diploma from a top engineering school, which is a strong credential: in IT and technical circles, saying “Ecole Centrale” immediately adds +100 in credibility (just joking). Now I can combine, seemingly incompatible things – engineering, management, and marketing. I do not regret choosing the business school; my goal was to continue working in my previous field (IT project management & web marketing management). Unfortunately, 3 years ago I didn’t know the French system well, so I regret not being able to combine engineering and management studies at once (enrolling in an engineering + business school apprenticeship program).

What was the major program value for you?

Gaining work experience abroad.

What did you like about this program?

Studying in an international environment.

What didn’t you like?

At first, the choice was purely research-oriented, which wasn’t ideal for me.

What is the hardest part of studying abroad?

Adapting to the local approach to studying.

Is this experience different from your experience at your country’s university? If yes, how?

A lot of group work. At the business school, everything is set up for team-building, time management, organizational skills, and integration into real market conditions.

How did your typical day look like?

Lots of work 😂 From 8 am to 6 pm (yes, no 35-hour workweek because in a startup everything needed to be done yesterday), then study (French or additional courses). After 3 years, I still haven’t mastered the French art of living like the locals.

📌 Useful resources

If you had questions or issues (studies, language, administration, careers, integration etc), where did you get help/advice?

Days and nights on websites and forums.

Did you contact other students with a similar experience? Was their experience helpful?

Yes, but my case was somewhat unique. So I had to manage and figure things out mostly on my own.

Could you recommend websites which might help study abroad?

bourses-etudes-en-france

💰 Finance

What was the cost of your program? How did you finance your studies?

Cost: zero. I always studied for free and even got paid. Normally, the costs were €3,770 and €10,500.I financed my studies with a dual degree program scholarship and apprenticeship contracts, through university websites.

🏠 Accommodation

What was your accommodation experience?

Life in the student residence was a nightmare. It was hard to get used to the fact that French students aged 23-25 behaved like we did at 17-19. Later I moved to a colocation (shared apartment). No problems with housing — the first time the school provided the residence, then I found housing myself through a classmate who was going on an internship in another city and offered me her place. Prices — €340 for a single room in residence and €430 for a room in colocation. I have been receiving €180 help from the department for about a year now.

How much did you pay for living per month during your studies?

Around €750.

🚀 Career opportunities

Did you do an internship during your studies? How did you find it?

I didn’t know the French system well, so I took whatever internship I could find — in a research laboratory (companies refused me because I applied for internships not related to my major + I only knew “bonjour” in French). Advice for everyone: learn French, even if your program is in English. Your network won’t improve until you speak French with locals! That will also increase your chances of getting a job. I found my apprenticeship after a month in the place I wanted. By then, I knew the system and French. I found apprenticeship and permanent contracts through LinkedIn. Internship was found through the school’s website.

Did your university help you in this process?

The engineering school gave access to a job vacancy database — that was it. The business school was better — 3 job meetings, personal resume coaching, and mock interviews. I used coaching and then received 3 contract offers in a month after posting my resume and a post on LinkedIn.

What was the field of your internship and your remuneration?

Research in AI and Big Data (materials and fabrication) — €570/month.Apprenticeship — Digital Marketing Manager and Web Project Manager — €1,300/month.

Did you find a job after graduation? Which field and how did you find it?

Yes, but I am still considering other options. Choosing between a managerial position at an IT startup and a lower position but with a higher salary.

🌏 Your future plans

What are your plans? Do you plan to stay in the country?

I plan to live in France for another year or two to gain work experience in Europe… and then time will tell.

What do you like about France? And what not?

I like social protection by the government, free education (if you know how to build your strategy properly), cultural heritage, and the beautiful, diverse nature.I don’t like the French mentality and the feeling that this is NOT a country of achievers.

Could you give a piece of advice to future students?

LEARN FRENCH NOT JUST FOR DALF BUT FOR LIFE, AND DON’T EXPECT TO FIND A GOOD JOB WITH ONLY GREAT ENGLISH. Also, choose your program very carefully. Prepare in advance. If you don’t have funds — stock up on patience, time, and backup options. Everything is possible. The main thing is a good strategy and a clear professional project.

Date: April 2021