Name: Vitalia Khokhlova
From: Toulouse, French/Russian
Studied in: France
Studies start: 2011
Grade: Master
Program: Physics
University: Les écoles normales supérieures (ENS)
Program satisfaction rate: 5/5
Internship: Yes
Job: Yes
🎓 Application
How did you learn about this program?
I was already studying in France at Université Lyon 1 (UCBL) for two years. About the UCBL I learnt at the Campus France.
Why did you decide to enrol in this program?
I was interested in science.
What was your application experience?
As I was already studying in France. I added my notes and recommendation letters from my professors in the French University.
What level of English is required to enter this program?
I was speaking French, my program was only in French.
What level of French is required to enter this program?
B2
💡 Your impressions from your study abroad experience
What are your general impressions about this program?
Yes, it was a very fulfilling experience. The courses level was much higher than in French university and the classmates were cultivated and sophisticated. The social life included numerous interest groups, sport groups, gatherings and parties. And the ENS diploma is very appreciated in France.
What was the major program value for you?
The interdisplinary approach (biophysics) and the possibility to take courses from another faculty (biology).
What did you like about this program?
Everything else.
And what didn’t you like?
It was very stressful. The university education was not at all enough and I had to catch up on many things.
What is the hardest part of studying abroad?
The finances
How did your typical day look like?
Get up, eat breakfast, brush my teeth and dress, go to school, eat dinner in the cafeteria with classmates, go to school, go to the library to work, eat supper, sleep.
Is this experience different from your experience at your country’s university? If yes, how?
I liked physics much more than economics.
📌 Useful resources
If you had questions or issues (studies, language, administration, careers, integration etc), where did you get help/advice?
Did you contact other students with a similar experience? Was their experience helpful?
No
Could you recommend websites which might help study abroad?
No
💰Finance
What was the cost of your program? How did you finance your studies?
I don't remember, several hundreds euros. I worked - aide aux devoirs, garde d'enfants, serveuse. I took a loan. And then I got a scolarship of 800 euros. I did not apply for it, my faculty just proposed it to me.
🏠 Accommodation
What was your accommodation experience?
Room on campus. It was proposed to all licence students, and then foreigners could stay at the campus building. First we were two in the same room, it costed 200 euros. Then I was alone, it costed 400 euros. I had a state housing aid of 80 euros.
How much did you pay for living per month during your studies?
It is a very funny question. I managed to live with 400 euros per month. The agent at the prefecture said it is not possible.
🚀 Career opportunities
Did you do an internship during your studies? How did you find it?
Yes. The faculty proposed a listing of internships. And I contacted myself some laboratories, which I was interested in.
Did your university help you in this process?
Yes. The faculty proposed a listing of internships.
What was the field of your internship? If you don’t mind please share the remuneration you got.
Optics, neurophysics. The internship was renumerated only after the 5th year, it was at the minimum legal rate of 400 euros per month.
Did you find a job after graduation? Which field and how did you find it?
I started a PhD in France. I found it online.
🌏 Your future plans
What are your plans for the future? Do you plan to stay in the country?
I live in France for 12 years now and I am planning to continue.
What do you like about France? And what not?
I like the quality of life (food, climate, pastimes), the liberty of expression, the respect of private life, the real democracy, the security.
Could you give a piece of advice to future students?
Speak to other people about your problems. Do not be affraid to ask help.
Date: February 2019
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