Field of study in Wageningen: Bachelor Nutrition and Health
Study period exchange: 10/01/2024 – 10/05/2024
Country (exchange): France
City (exchange): Toulouse
University (exchange): Ecole d’ingénieurs de PURPAN
Faculty (exchange): International Bachelor Course
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
I have always had a strong interest in learning about new cultures and enjoyed discovering new places. This is why I took a gap year after finishing Secondary school to work as an Au-Pair in the city Bristol, United Kingdom. It made me go out of my comfort zone, making it very rewarding to have new experiences with people whom I had just met. I realised that trying new things made me more self-assured about my own qualities. Moreover, it made me learn and understand the English language to a great extent. Studying abroad would be perfect to combine living in a new country with taking classes around my subjects of interest.
What is the reason you chose for this country?
It is also an opportunity to get acquainted with the French language, food and culture.
What is the reason you chose for this university?
The university is very focused on providing an international learning environment, with focus on personal skills development, which I really like. Since the Ecole d’ingénieurs de Purpan is acquainted with so many students from abroad, it feels very welcoming and appealing to me. This university also offers a large versatility of courses that trigger my interests in science and food.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Toulouse is easily accessible via train, bus, car or plane. You can either take the train or Flixbus to Paris and then transfer to Toulouse. Flights from the Netherlands can be quite expensive, so if you have the change I suggest you to opt for flying from Charleroi in Belgium.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
I had sufficient possibilities to select suitable courses that were taught in English:
Yes, the school offers two different kinds of course options, either the International Bachelor course which focusses on wine making, wine business and food science or the Globel semester which focusses on climate change, food security and global business.
I had sufficient possibilities to select suitable courses in my field of interest:
No, first I thought so but after my arrival the WUR decided that the courses I was following had too much overlap. Luckily, they ended up approving the courses but without the international bachelor course there wouldn’t be any other options in my field of interest at this university.
I am satisfied with the level of the courses that I followed:
A few courses were difficult and a few were quite easy to do. I expected the level to be a bit lower than in Wageningen and this was true. But I really enjoyed the practical learning I got to do during this exchange which was also worth a lot to me.
I am satisfied, in the end, with the selection of courses I followed:
Yes, I really enjoyed many of the courses. I think that there will always be a few that are a little less interesting to me but might me nice to someone else so in the end I am satisfied with the courses.
What is it like to study there?
The most difficult thing for me to get used to is the schedule that is very different than in Wageningen. The days are sometimes very long from 9 to half past 4 and the hours are not always very productive. In the Netherlands almost everything is productive and sometimes here I was just sitting the hours through. This made it feel like highschool a bit. However, not all days were this long and after this there wasn’t much homework as a lot of time was scheduled for this during the lessons. So afterwords you are free to go out with friends without worrying about school.
What is the culture of the university?
The school is very small and organises a lot of activities which is very nice and they have cool parties. The class is very small and the contact with the fellow students and teachers is easy and casual.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
There is no canteen which is quite bad however there is this group of students who are ‘club sandwich’ and they make grilled cheeses during the lunch break on some days which is nice. There is a very nice food hall nearby as well as a big supermarket for lunch. You can join many clubs and sport teams if you want to.
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
The course coordinator helped me out to get a room in student housing which was very easy and nice and cheap.
What is the culture like?
People in Toulouse are very friendly, the food in basically every restaurant is very nice and overall a very pleasant vibe.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
Public transport is very cheap for students, you can get transportation per bus and tram for 13 euros per month and use the city bikes for 20 euros per year. I always walked to school.
6. Expenses
Can you give an indication of your expenses for/during your exchange?
The price levels were in general [higher; lower; equal] in comparison to in the Netherlands:
Higher for groceries and going out compared to Wageningen.
Additional remarks regarding expenses?
In France you can sign up for CAF which is for students and this makes your rent lower. I really recommend it.
7. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
Lots of coffee spots, café’s, restaurants etc. there are many opportunities to go out and sit on a terrace. You can also get drinks and sit at the river the Garonne.
What does not appear in a travel guide, but is definitely worth seeing/doing?
Happy hour at Volfoni is really good.
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
The language is a big challenge for me as I don’t speak French.
What is your best memory of your time abroad?
Getting to know all my new friends.
8. Contact Details
Would you like to ask Lieve more questions about her exchange?
Send her a mail: lieve.mulder@wur.nl