France » Lyon » Student Comments

Overall Value of the Experience:

“A life changing experience. Traveling and being so far from home really forced me to become more independent and outgoing.”

“I’ve made so many wonderful friends (I’m even living with one of them next year), and I love my host family. I hope to come back to visit them, and they may even visit me. I learned a lot in my classes and even more on my travels. It’s been such a unique opportunity and I’ve grown a lot and become more adventurous, responsible and independent.”

“I had a great time in France. With all the trials and tribulations, I would do it again any day, and plan on doing it again. I feel more comfortable with the idea of ‘wherever you go, there you are.’ This experience will always remain with me.”

“I met a lot of new people from all around the states and the world and I got to discover a bunch of different cultures. I also learned about myself and my relations with people.”

“Many things I have learned and experienced this year could have been done anywhere, because a large part of my journey has been self-realization and actualization. I cannot downplay the role that Lyon and the study-abroad program has played into the experience. I have struggled and been frustrated a great deal this year on many levels, and I have also had amazing and life changing experiences every day. Overall this year has strengthened my ideas about myself and my role in this world in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. I thank the organization and support of the Oregon program for what they have done to bring this experience to me and many others.”

“This year has been so exploratory; it’s life in a very rich contrast. I’ve learned more than I feel capable of expressing. My mom says the effects of this experience will trickle through the years to come, and I don’t doubt that. Simply put, this has been a year of getting walloped with wonderment at the wide world and getting to know myself in it.”

“Though it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, I grew at least 10 inches. There is no price tag for an experience like this and I really learned a lot about the world and me and what I am looking for in the future.”

“Definitely a good experience. It wasn’t everything I expected, but some things just weren’t possible or couldn’t have worked out the way I wanted. There were ups and downs - lots of good times, but also a number of rough times. Regardless, I wouldn’t change anything. Things happened; I worked them out and learned from them. I learned a lot about myself, the US, the world, other people, etc. That’s what it’s all about -- a learning experience. When I get home I will be very content with my year and all the things I’ve accomplished.”

Academic Program

Language Institute (CIEF/ILCF)

“Extremely different than the U.S. university system. I really liked the CIEF with its community atmosphere and small classes. The big difference is that the classes are so much longer in France and usually back-to-back. It becomes hard to focus for long periods of time. Also the teachers are often late and don’t hesitate to keep you later! Taking language classes here is also very different because they meet once a week for 2 hours, not like in the states where classes meet almost every day.

“I absolutely loved my CIEF teachers. They were so awesome and we became a small family. Although I found the French education system unorganized and hard at times, I had a great time and learned at lot about the language.”

“At first my classes seemed way too easy and like a joke, but it got hard. The classmates became friends and it was a good atmosphere. They have some great teachers there. The only thing I didn’t like were the Ateliers…also classes were really long…but I was happy with my choice of ILCF.”

“I loved the CIEF because the teachers are great. Sure they are really unorganized and the first two weeks you don’t know what is even going on but that is what gives the students something to talk about. I’m glad I did my whole year with them because I never stopped learning something crazy about this French language.”

“The French University System is very disorganized from an outsider’s point of view. They don’t make it easy to pick and choose, but the CIEF remained very organized.”

“It was different; courses were only once a week and non-concrete books for the classes. The CIEF was good, I learned a lot. They organized courses well and they were well adapted for foreign student learning.”

“I went to a private university, took, primarily, courses for international students. The teachers were nice and waited until everyone understood.”

“All of my classes were within the ILCF, so my experience of the French university system is exceptional in that way. In general, students are required to self-advocate far more than in the US. You are really the one to make sure that you understand. Perhaps the professors assume a larger base knowledge. The educational system is based more around theory than practice. The ILCF is intimate and friendly – suitable for people who really just want to concentrate on their French.”

Language Institute 1st semester/Direct Exchange 2nd semester

“I definitely prefer the U.S. system! I didn’t like how classes only met once a week, instead of 2 or 3 times, because then if you missed class for any reason, you were a week behind. Professors in France aren’t as interactive as at home - I didn’t feel like I could approach them outside of class with questions. These are generalizations, of course. Some professors were different. The CIEF was okay; the professors were nice and very helpful. It was a good preparation for my direct exchange classes.”

“At first I was overwhelmed with how the French university system works because it’s much less centralized, especially since I like to be well-prepared and organized. However, I caught on fairly quickly to how things work. I took classes with the CIEF at Lyon II and found the teachers nice and helpful. I had relatively small classes with around 30 people, and we did a lot of group work with partners/small groups. I was placed in a lower level than what I think I should’ve been placed in, but I decided not to switch. I still learned a lot and met a lot of interesting people. At the university, I met some French students and had fairly large classes. I found it easy to start talking to French students if you took the initiative. A curiosity will spark and maybe a friendship will develop.”

Direct Exchange

“I enjoyed the relative self-motivation the time and work required for classes provided. Compared to the States there is a lot less regulation of whether or not we are engaged with the material. I enjoyed this because I’ve found that neither system is better, but experiencing both is infinitely enriching. The most frustrating situations were at the beginning of the year with teachers.”

“It’s a little hard as a foreign student to have classes based on lectures rather than textbooks, especially because that means the lectures are a combination of books given on the syllabus.”

“Major difference: French system - only professors’ lectures and one exam at the end. They recommend books but there are too many to feasibly read and are usually very specific to one class period. I found there was a lot to know and either too much to put in the exam or the question was too specific to show whether or not you really learned anything. Classes are only once a week so they are not overwhelming.”

“The teachers mostly talk, and the students take notes. The one exception was my political philosophy class at the Catholic university – there was some discussion. I really liked the classes at both the IEP and the Facultés Catholiques. My Fac. Cath. classes were definitely small, which was nice, maybe 15 people at the most. Also a lot of students there are older (grandparent aged) which I actually kind of liked. Everyone was very friendly.”

“I don’t like it as much as in the U.S. I love that education in France is free though. The bureaucracy and the number of hoops you have to jump through is CRAZY! The range of courses one can take here is not as open because students pick a major and can’t stray from that. I wish we did more writing and that it was more structured. But my French definitely improved quickly!”

“All in all I am not a fan of the French university system. It’s too impersonal. The professors always talk at you and not discuss with you. There is usually only one test and so you have one chance to do well. You never know where you are in the class. However, my listening and note-taking and double tasking skills have improved greatly. My motivation and independence have also improved. It is not hard to get notes from other students.”

“The French university system doesn’t seem very well organized. Scheduling classes can be frustrating due to time/room changes. Often classes would be cancelled without prior notice. The professors were generally understanding and helpful, but not necessarily available. Classes are primarily lectures with up to no homework or outside reading. This may sound nice but it was difficult to know where we stood in the class until the final.”

Living in Lyon

The City:

“The perfect international study site for learning French. Large enough to be continually interesting and easy enough to travel around, but still not so big that everyone knows and tries to speak English to you.”

“A major city with lots of history and therefore museums and historical sites. It’s not as busy as Paris but still you get the feel of studying in a major city while not feeling crowded or unable to concentrate.”

“An excellent city. Big, but not too big and very charming. There’s a great quality of life here, lots of aesthetic buildings and interesting urban planning. In my opinion, it’s the perfect French city? You have a slice of international life. Tons of restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.”

“A nice city. You are more submerged into French culture than you would be in Paris. There are many foreign students (mostly from Asia and North Africa) that are happy to share their international studies. A crossroads city near Switzerland, the Alps, vineyards, silk trade, and French Riviera down South.”

“A great place to study: many cultural events, spectacles, plays, operas, museums, good night life. A big enough town to always have things to do but small enough to feel at home and run into people you know or meet. An easy town to know with enough to keep you always see something new.”

“Lyon is international and therefore a great place to study in my opinion. I also love big cities and Lyon is big, but the public transportation is also so great that everywhere and anywhere is easily accessible. I also found the people friendly enough that I could still start out with my imperfect French and get along fine.”

“Great! Not as touristy as Paris so you get more of a feel for real French life. It’s also really close to a lot of other European cities, so it’s really easy to travel from. A good size, always something to do if you want, but you can also easily get away or just relax within the city.”

“A fabulous international study site. It is not just a French city. It is, and more! There is an amazing international student community and organizations for reception. The variety and universities and access to them is spectacular, the cultural life of the city is phenomenal, the history (past and living) of the place is unparalleled! All of this and then the fact that Lyon is a manageable size, not too large but big enough to be full of life, close in proximity to Paris and other countries, with outstanding public transportation, helpful student discounts…in short, a city with potential to find access to most any outlet or identity anyone could imagine!”

Accommodations:

“I live in a beautiful 400 year-old apartment in Vieux Lyon with a French family (2 parents and 17 year old boy). I have my own room with a huge bookcase and I share the washroom with the boy. The family has always been extremely welcoming.”

“The location and type of family I had were outstanding. Getting to live with a family was a good cultural experience because even though they are French and another culture they are still people. You are there to develop a relationship with them. I was hesitant to live with a family because I’m very independent, but we adapted to one another.”

“As for accommodation, my situation was wonderful. A fully furnished apartment with internet and dishwasher. It is close to all forms of public transportation – bus, metro, rram, velo’v. It is in the middle of the two Lyon 2 campuses AND the view is beautiful.”

“Each situation was very helpful in learning about France and French culture. Living with a family limited some things when hosting friends and family. But for being completely immersed in the culture, it was good. I preferred the apartment because of the freedom and the cheaper rent.”

“I lived in the 5th arrondisement with a family. I had my own room in a 3 story house, but shared a bathroom with the other kids. I would definitely live with a family again because although it took me a while to get comfortable here and the location was not always convenient, it was the biggest factor in my learning French culture including holiday rituals, food, slang and history (my dad liked to tell me stories at dinner). It forced me to speak French and really raised my oral comprehension plus gave me a feeling of family once I got close enough with them.”

“I would have still live with a host family if I could start over but maybe just for the semester. I wish I had asked for a French person to share an apartment with the second semester because I missed my independence.”

“I lived with a host family, with 4 children, ages 18, 16, 13, and 5. I gave the rating of very good because although it wasn’t perfect all the time in their eyes nor in mine, I got to experience French culture firsthand, keep up with current events, and improve my language skills drastically. Getting to share in their lives was much fun. Also there is added benefit to them knowing the city and being involved - it definitely opens a wider network of people and events to be involved with.”

“I live in an apartment in the city center in a family with 2 parents and 4 kids (14-6). The room is small but comfortable. The family is cool, the dad absolutely great, friendly, helpful. The kids are kids, sometimes a little mean but the two oldest are really helpful and the two youngest are so cute! The mom takes a while to warm up, sometimes comes off quite mean but ok nonetheless.”

“I first lived with a host family who lived far away from the center of town. I would have liked to live with a smaller family, less than 4 children in the household. Since February, I have lived in a dorm (residence), close to town and really incorporated my French. I would suggest living in a dorm for the freedom and being with other students your age. There is a program called Lyon International that groups students with families in the town or region where I had met a family, very nice.”

“The studio was nice, it’s in a great location, close to everything. However living by myself was really hard. I have lived by myself before, but it’s different in a foreign country. You get lonely, and your language skills don’t improve as much as they would with a family or with other French students.”

Finances:

“Come knowing you’re going to spend a lot so that you won’t be surprised!”

“Traveling outside of France was more costly then I expected, and food was expensive too.”

“Most of my expenses went towards rent and traveling. Unlike the US, in France one does not buy books for classes.”

“I’m a minimalist, and my traveling was by far my greatest expense, and would have been much more had I gone to more developed countries.”

On-Site Support:

“Laurie was great! She was a super multi-tasker, was always on top of things, and I was impressed that she always replied to my emails in a timely matter. I couldn’t picture another Laurie Wilson even if I tried!”

“Laurie is a great problem-solver. She stays very calm and comes up with good solutions.”

“Laurie has always been very open, cordial and communicative. She is very professional while maintaining a warm and welcoming side too.”

“Laurie not only set up everything for us (bank accounts, cartes de sejour, etc) but always had answers to our questions no matter what the subject.”

“In any instance I can share my joy, excitement, and sorrow and sense of being overwhelmed with Laurie and she usually shares a similar experience. But she also lets us go. She’s amazing really. I don’t think a better director could exist.”

“Very helpful, always there for anything we ever needed. Had us over during the holidays for cookie making and cider, and movies, which was really nice.”

Campus Contact

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