A Note on Studying Abroad: Comparison Between French and Belfast School Systems.
By Arianne Guillemot
Being a student is challenging, and over time, you may come to feel that there is a world outside of your university and that you want to study abroad. If this sounds familiar, perhaps this piece will shed some light on my experience as a French exchange student coming to Queen’s University Belfast. As I compare the pros, cons, and differences between my experiences.
The first difference that myself and the other French exchange students noticed was the staff. At Queens, the staff are friendly and willing to give a helping hand. However, in France, the staff do not show the same willingness. Regarding the school system in France, our schedules are much tighter, and we have more assignments, which makes it feel like we’re studying all the time, especially during our exam period which lasts only a week. Here, I felt the schedule was much lighter (though perhaps it feels that way because I am on an exchange). Plus, it feels like the system promotes a healthier balance, with fewer assignments and a lighter exam schedule.
I also find the grading in France stricter, while here, the system seems more balanced between academic achievement and personal welfare. Queen’s exceptional circumstances scheme is a useful tool that I feel France could implement.
Class here is very different. While in France students tend to engage and participate in class, students in Belfast are quieter and more reserved when it comes to answering out. At times, this makes my classes here feel awkward in comparison.
Considering student life, I have noticed that Queen’s has a great number of societies, whilst in France, there are only a few. However, in France, they are very cheap to join, contrary to the membership prices here. Queens also has many free events which is rare in France. In France, though, we usually have a students’ board that organises parties and nights out very cheaply, which I have not heard of here. French ‘going out’ is also more so about clubbing (clubs are free or cheap and open until very late), compared to the strong pub culture in Belfast.
In France, we have very cheap coffee machines (coffees around 50c) in nearly all of our university buildings and student meal deals at €4. In Belfast, the price of coffee can, at times, price you out of having a morning coffee. Very hard to get used to whenever you’re used to a cheap coffee every morning!
However, I advise you to take my opinion with a pinch of salt; I am, after all, only one French student, so my opinion is subjective.
Overall, if you are looking for your sign to do a year studying abroad, this is it. If it were not for Erasmus, I would not have been able to write this. If you have the opportunity to discover another country or culture, seize it. So far this year, it has been the best decision I have made. Hopefully, I didn’t make France look too bad for you, and if so, remember one thing we have that you guys don’t: the cheapest coffee machines on earth.
