THINGS TO KNOW
Amiens Metropolitan area: EXPLORING AMIENS, 180,000 residents MY CITY ADMINISTRATIVE Amiens city: CAPITAL OF SOMME, one of the 5 departments 134,000 residents which make up the Campus France will guide nd Hauts-de-France Region 2 CITY IN THE REGION, European you through your first steps in Youth Capital in 2020 France and exploring Amiens, your new home.
HAUTS-DE- University of Picardie - FRANCE Jules Verne: TO REGION, WELCOME 5th FRENCH REGION in terms of hosting 31,000 students AMIENS foreign students (21,000 international including international students students) 15% 35 research centers, 2 PhD schools
AMIENS RANKED AMONG FRENCH CITIES WHERE IT’S GOOD TO LIVE AND STUDY (awarded by L’Etudiant magazine) WITH A GOOD SCORE FOR THE QUALITY OF CAMPUS LIFE
CAMPUS FRANCE 28 rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010 PARIS - 01 40 40 58 58 - www.campusfrance.org Production: Agence Huitième Jour - Photos: DR - Cover photo: ©Hugues Courtois, ©Hugues Fotolia.com photo: DR - Cover - Photos: Jour Huitième Agence Production: ARRIVING IN HOUSING Long-term housing If you need housing adapted to your special • The CROUS (Centre Régional des Œuvres needs AMIENS / IN AMIENS / Universitaires - Regional Center for University Contact the CROUS Social Services which will take Services) student housing for Amiens-Picardie. action with your institution. Some establishments Different measures are in place to greet you and In Amiens, there are numerous solutions for finding Address: 5 rue Saint-Leu, 80000 Amiens. have specialized services for special-needs students assist you in your procedures. lodging: the housing park reserved for students Hours: (housing assistance and also transportation and - September 1 to October 31: Monday to Friday, tuition). • At University of Picardie - Jules Verne (UPJV), and managed by CROUS, student and private residences, and rooms in private homes. 8:30am to 5:00pm. At University of Picardie - Jules Verne, contact the the International Relations Service (DRI) is there to - November 2 to August 31: Monday to Friday, meet you, advise you, and direct you in all questions What’s most important is to take care of this as Service for Special-Needs Students: early as possible, before your arrival. 9:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm. https://www.u-picardie.fr > L’université > Handicap concerning your installation. Contact: 09 69 36 19 19 Learn more: https://www.u-picardie.fr/ • The Hauts-de-France CRIJ Site: www.crous.amiens.fr Address: DRI, 11 rue des Francs Mûriers, (Centre Régional d’Information 80000 Amiens Jeunesse, or regional youth On campus, the CROUS is also responsible for all Contact: 03 22 82 72 51 or [email protected] information center) publishes low-cost food services (university restaurants, a Housing Guide which will cafeterias, food-trucks, etc.) Sponsors simplify your installation: • Private sites for housing search You can be assisted by a sponsor in Amiens! http://www.crij-hdf.fr > Nos You can also check out these specialized sites: With the ESN Amiens Association (Erasmus Student publications > Guide du - https://www.adele.org > résidence > agglomération Network), a sponsor can meet you and help you in all logement > Amiens your procedures: - http://www.logement-etudiant.com/ http://amiens.ixesn.fr and http://buddysytem.eu/ offre-de-logement/Amiens/liste.asp - https://www.location-etudiant.fr > résidences Your Higher Learning Institution étudiantes > Amiens In other institutions, two information services are - https://housinganywhere.com/fr/s/Amiens--France available: • The Amiens Métropole site inventories all student • There is also a site managed by the CROUS, - International Relations Department housing solutions (private residences): Lokaviz, which includes a listing of student (welcome and orientation desk). https://www.amiens.fr > Vivre à Amiens > Jeunesse accomodations in private homes: GETTING AROUND - the Admissions Department (enrollment and > Étudier > Se loger https://www.lokaviz.fr/ administrative procedures office). AMIENS • Shared Leases: consult La Carte des Colocs, a National Services A FEW TIPS national site for shared leases that’s free and simple To get to Amiens from Paris, the simplest is - Students: www.etudiant.gouv.fr to use: https://www.lacartedescolocs.fr/ For short-term lodging to take a train from Gare du Nord, (travel time : - doctoral students, researchers: • Other solutions available on the Campus France 1 hour and 15 minutes): https://www.oui.sncf/ http://www.euraxess.fr/fr • The Amiens Youth Hostel located near the city site: www.campusfrance.org > s’organiser > If you arrive at the Beauvais airport, take the center (on the Nemo red bus line). logement (> Getting organized > Accommodation) Keolis Beauvais-Amiens bus (1 hour and Address: 30 square Friant les 4 Chênes, 15 minutes). 80000 Amiens. If you need a guarantor to secure your lodging In the city, use the Ametis network and its Contact: 03 22 33 27 30. Visale is a new and free guarantor system: 17 bus lines (operates every day including Site: https://www.hifrance.org > Auberge de www.visale.fr jeunesse holidays): https://www.ametis.fr/ If you want to apply for the APL • Other hotel-residences: use the search engine on To be more independent, use the rental bikes: (Aide Personnalisée au Logement -personalized the Amiens Visitor Center site which inventories all - The Ametis bus network is completed with a housing aid) types of housing: bicycle service for both short- and long-term http://www.amiens-tourisme.com > Tourinsoft > The CAF (Caisse des Allocations Familiales - family rentals, Buscyclette: recherche > Hébergement allowances fund) is available to assess your rights: https://www.ametis.fr/buscyclette/ 08.10.29.29.29 or www.caf.fr - the local Velam network, bikes are available in 26 docking stations: http://www.velam.amiens.fr For travel within the region, take the regional trains: https://www.ter.sncf.com/hauts-de-france Coaches are also an option for low-cost travel: https://fr.ouibus.com/ or https://www.flixbus.fr/ For carpooling see the collaborative site: https://www.blablacar.fr
2 3 As a student, you can also take advantage of the LEARNING FRENCH FIRST university medical services. That’s the case for GOOD TO KNOW STEPS / University of Picardie which has a Service de Santé Learning French is an opportunity to be seized! Find • If you arrive in France with a VLS-TS Universitaire (SSU), or university health services. what works best for you: long-term student visa: you must validate it In these health services where consultations - by consulting the Campus France site or the ENROLLMENT IN YOUR INSTITUTION online within three months of arrival: https:// are free, you’ll be greeted by a team of medical Français Langue Etrangère (FLE) - French as a administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur. professionals who can give you a health check-up foreign language - centers and universities which CVEC gouv.fr and personalized advice in terms of health and offer courses at all levels year-round: http://ecolesdete.campusfrance.org It is mandatory that you download proof of • If you are an Algerian national: depending on prevention. - by asking in your institution, at city hall, or in your payment of the Contribution Vie Etudiante et de your campus, your residence permit application Address: SSU, Chemin du Thil, 80000 Amiens. host city’s Maison des Associations - community Campus (CVEC) – the student and campus life is made at the Préfecture or with the Service Contact: 03 22 82 72 33 or [email protected] centers. contribution fee before you can enroll in your des Relations Internationales at your campus. Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm, institution. Take note: to renew your residence permit, you Friday 8:30am to 4pm. FINDING A JOB OR AN INTERNSHIP - Log in at: https://cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr/ must apply within two months prior to its expiry. Site: https://etudiants.u-picardie.fr > Santé - For additional information and special cases: In Amiens, there is also a multidisciplinary health 3 addresses: https://www.campusfrance.org > s’organiser > CVEC care center, Espace Santé Maurice Ravel, where • Jobs and internships: students can drop in with no appointments. Confirm Registration - the Hauts-de-France CRIJ (Centre Régional Address: 1 bis rue Maurice Ravel, 80000 Amiens. d’Information Jeunesse, or regional youth Take note! Even if you have a pre-registration letter, Hours: by appointment. you are not officially enrolled. information center) has a platform of job and EVERYDAY Contact: 03 22 08 87 40 internship offers: http://www.crij-hdf.fr You must validate your enrollment with the Site: http://www.chu-amiens.fr > Patients visiteurs > institution’s Service de la Scolarité (Admissions) as LIFE / - the Amiens-Métropole site publishes want ads: Services et contacts > Espace Santé Maurice Ravel https://www.amiens.fr > Vivre à Amiens > Emploi soon as you arrive. Consultations de spécialités du CHUAP • Student jobs: find a student job that’s compatible OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT with your studies on the CROUS Jobaviz site: RESIDENCE PERMIT INSURE YOUR HOME If you stay in France for more than 3 months, it http://www.jobaviz.fr/ Information will be much easier day-to-day if you open a bank In France, housing insurance is mandatory. • At the Somme Prefecture. account, online or in one of the 75 bank agencies The “garantie risques locatifs” - rental risk guarantee located in Amiens. - is housing insurance which you can you subscribe Address: 51 rue de la République, 80000 Amiens. GOING OUT IN Reception and contact: http://www.somme.gouv.fr > In France, opening a bank account is a right: with your bank or a private insurance company. Services de l’État > Préfecture et sous-préfectures > www.service-public.fr > Argent > Comptes Online subscription is also often possible. AMIENS / La préfecture de la Somme Coordonnées et horaires bancaires> Droit au compte (> Finances > Bank Learn more: d’ouverture Accounts > Right to Open an Account) https://www.smeno.com/ www.assistance-etudiants.com PLAYING A SPORT You can also ask for an appointment directly in www.assurances-etudiants.com writing, at: [email protected] HEALTH CARE • Your school or university may offer privileged General site: http://www.somme.gouv.fr/ access to different sports activities: In France, receiving medical treatment is practically University of Picardie - Jules Verne offers sports • Learn more about your rights and obligations: free but you must be insured. As a result, signing up activities for all students: www.service-public.fr > Etranger > Titre de séjour et for medical insurance is mandatory. SAMU: 15 Emergency Medical Services document de circulation (Foreigners > Resident Card Police emergency: 17 in the event of violence, https://etudiants.u-picardie.fr > Sport and Travel Document) theft, robbery. • In the city of Amiens and its metropolitan area, Connect to the Fire Department: 18, in the event of fire, gas you will also find a complete selection of sports and https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr site to leak, water damage, natural catastrophe, or recreation. register, to understand your rights, and to take traffic accident. For more information: the necessary steps. 112 European emergency services number - https://www.amiens.fr > Vivre à Amiens > Sport that’s accessible from anywhere in the European - http://www.osam.fr/ Union in addition to the French numbers above. Learn more: https://www.campusfrance.org > S’organiser > Santé
4 5 BE ACTIVE MUST-SEE IMPORTANT ANNUAL SEPTEMBER Attend cultural and sporting events, or join a social • Student Welcome Day organized in different or community group, through one of the numerous PLACES / EVENTS / venues by the University of Picardie, the Region, local or national student clubs and associations. City, and Metropolitan area. To learn more, check with your school (Service de Amiens Métropole was awarded the label Pays MARCH • Students of the World Night, a big welcome night la vie étudiante or Campus Life services) or visit the d’Art et d’Histoire (Art and History Region) in 2015. for international students following sites: www.animafac.net or • Safran’umeriques, the digital arts and new in the Amiens City Hall. • The Jules Verne house, home of an important technologies festival (live entertainment, virtual www.letudiant.fr th French author of the 19 century, and a precursor in immersions, and concerts, most often free). • Les Médiévales, a popular festival along the water. In Amiens, ESN, an association which welcomes science fiction literature. • Journée Européenne du patrimoine, with free visits international students, greets foreign students and • Notre Dame cathedral, the largest gothic building APRIL to cultural sites. sees to their integration: in France. • Réderie de Printemps, a huge flea market, the most http://www.amiens.ixesn.fr/fr et OCTOBER • The Saint-Leu neighborhood and its canals which important after Lille’s, also organized in October. www.facebook.com/ESNamiens/ • Science Festival (in Amiens with over earned Amiens the name, “Little Venice of the North”. JUNE 1.000 researchers in 33 research units). GAINING CULTURE AND PARTYING • The Picardie Museum, with a large collection • Fête de la musique: music everywhere in town dating from prehistoric times to today. (free concerts). NOVEMBER - DECEMBER • Amiens offers numerous opportunities for cultural • The Hortillonnages, for outings on small boats • Amiens International Film Festival. events or partying. Theaters, museums, movie • La Rue est à Amiens, an international festival for in the canals at the heart of flower and vegetable • Spectacle Chroma (Chroma show) at Notre-Dame theaters, dance, and music are on the program street art. gardens. cathedral (light show on the façade, also takes place and most of the time, at reduced cost for students: • On a Marché sur la Bulle, the Amiens graphic novel during the summer). https://www.amiens.fr > Vivre à Amiens > Culture • The Perret Tower, an example of modern rendezvous. 20th century architecture. Patrimoine • market on the Hortillonnages waterways • Christmas Market, the largest event of the type in the north of France. • At University of Picardie - Jules Verne, the Cultural • The Amiens Zoo, near the city center. (traditional market). Department develops partnerships with the city’s For more information, consult the Amiens Visitor For more information: JULY other cultural structures to add to its programming Center website: http://www.amiens-tourisme.com > La festive > and to offer students the best rates: http://www.amiens-tourisme.com > La culturelle > • Festival Art, Ville et Paysages (Art, City, and Grands évènements https://etudiants.u-picardie.fr > Culture Les incontournables Landscapes Festival), sculptures and plastic creations in the Hortillonnages. • The university’s Maison des Langues (Languages Center) and the ESN association organize a AUGUST languages café every Wednesday night: • French “ballon au poing” championships, a typical https://www.u-picardie.fr > services communs > mdl Amiens-region team sport. • For entertainment or to pick up some culture, in Amiens, there are: - around 15 movie theaters (student rates, rewards card) including 1 art film house, Ciné Saint-Leu. - 3 major museums, reduced rates for students. - 6 large halls for concerts, theater, dance, and opera: https://www.amiens.fr > Vivre à Amiens > Les évènements - around ten book stores including an institution, Librairie Martelle, and a used-book store, Chapeau Melon et Pile de Livres. - 5 multimedia librairies and librairies, including the Louis Aragon library: https://www.amiens.fr > Vivre à Amiens > Culture Patrimoine > Lire To stay informed, actively listen to others and the world, and • In Amiens, for going out or staying abreast of share and dialogue with students, follow social media where events, read the major regional daily newspaper, Le Campus France has an especially strong presence! Courrier Picard, available in newsstands or on the Remember to sign up on the France alumni network to take part Internet: http://www.courrier-picard.fr/ EXCHANGE in discussion groups on various subjects, take advantage of You can also read JDA, the Amiens-Metropole cultural outings, and consult job and internship offers. weekly information paper: SHARE https://www.amiens.fr > JDA
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