KEDGE Business School Exchange Report Fall 2016 Kwok Adrian Kin Chun BBA (ACCT & OM) Part I - Monthly Activity Log After 15 hours of travelling from Hong Kong, which includes a 2-hour transition in Paris, we have finally arrived at the Bordeaux-Merignac Airport. As my roommate have checked-in before my arrival, my check-in procedures were very simple and straightforward. September The first month was packed with activities and excitement as the “Melting Potes" prepared welcoming activities for their international students. Our semester begins on September 19 so my friends and I went on a short day-trip to Lacanau Ocean near Bordeaux. Also, we travelled to London and spend a week exploring the heart of the United Kingdom. It was already halfway through my first cycle at KEDGE and I have taken 1 course named “Supply chain simulation”. The work load was not heavy and by mid- October we have finished the course with a final examination. For the second cycle, I have taken 2 courses named “Wine Marketing” and “Supply chain management”. Wine Marketing was very enjoyable and unique as I believe that HKUST does not offer similar courses. October During the weekends, I have managed to travel to Lyon and Arcachon in France, as well as Amsterdam in the Netherlands. For the first half of November, I have finished the above-mentioned courses with final examinations that lasted around 1 hour for each. For both courses, they required students to complete a few group reports and essays. The second half of the month marks the beginning of cycle 3 that will only last for one week. I have enrolled in the course “Managing sustainable supply chains” and I will need to complete the whole course by the end of the week where a final November examination is scheduled. The course was interesting as it gave me a new perspective on supply chain management. By November 18, I have finished all courses at KEDGE and we have travelled to Berlin in Germany, Reykjavik in Iceland, Milan, Rome, Pisa, Venice in Italy, Santorini and Athens in Greece. As we choose not to enroll in any course for cycle 4, my friends and I decided to travel around the Scandinavian countries which includes Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Also, Christmas was fast approaching and it was a memorable experience to understand the difference on how people from the Nordic countries celebrate their Christmas. December Also, it was during this 22-day trip to the Nordic that I have tried ice skating and snow skiing for the first time in my life. In this trip, I have travelled to Paris in France, Munich in Germany, Stockholm in Sweden, Helsinki and Rovaniemi in Finland, and Copenhagen in Denmark. Part II - General Exchange Information 1) Visa Procedures 3) International Services & Activities Upon acceptance to the exchange program, The International Student Office at KEDGE was KEDGE will mail your acceptance letter to very responsive and supportive during my HKUST SBM Office and you may begin applying exchange as they were very helpful in answering for the visa. all my questions on academic matters as well as For students who wish to study in France for a housing matters. period more than 90 days will need to apply for “Melting Potes” had provided a complimentary a long-stay study visa from the Consulate pickup service from Bordeaux Airport so it saved General of France in Hong Kong. The us a lot of trouble. application procedures are very straight forward and will usually takes around 1 month to process. Firstly, you will need to complete an academic interview at the Campus France office. Secondly, you may submit your visa application after the academic interview. For more details, I highly recommend you to visit the website of the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong. 2) Orientation Activities 4) Accommodations Before the semester starts, the school had KEDGE provides limited places for on-campus organized an orientation session for all residence but I was lucky enough to be sharing a international students where important room with another HKUST student at the on- information was announced. During the session, campus residence “Résidence le Campus” Before the school gave some important information on arriving Bordeaux, the student housing officer will the French Social Security, Administrative email you to complete a housing application and registration, Course registrations, French you will be able to choose from on-campus, language course, and Housing. The student private market, and CROUS, Domofrance and association “Melting Potes” also organized a private residences. few day trips to near-by cities as well as parties “Résidence le Campus” is operated by during the orientation week. Domofrance and it was well maintained. The accommodation was equipped with some basic equipment and a small kitchen. As a double room, the accommodation has two floors. 5) Courses Registration 8) Finance & Banking The course registration at KEDGE is done on the Upon your arrival to KEDGE, their international internet and there are a few major differences student office and Melting Potes will assist you to compared to the system of HKUST. Firstly, the open a French bank account. This account will be school is based on a cycle system where each useful for your stay in Europe because it will be cycle will last around 1 month and the course will easier to subscribe to a mobile phone plan with be completed within the cycle. Secondly, all internet as well as paying rent for your housing. students may only take up to 2 courses for each Also, the debit card will be a convenient tool if you cycle. Thirdly, once the course is allocated to will be travelling around the Euro zone. you it is impossible to drop the course without a valid reason. In other words, there is no add/drop period in KEDGE. Exchange students will be given priority in selecting their courses so you don’t need to worry about no getting your desired courses. However, keep in mind that the availability of some courses will change from cycle to cycle. 6) Teaching & Assessment Methods 9) Social Clubs & Networking Opportunities The teaching style at KEDGE varies from courses Before my arrival, the international student office to courses as some professors prefer assigned invited all international students to join the club readings and some prefer more lecturing. But in called “Melting Potes” which is the most useful general, professors at KEDGE emphasize more club in KEDGE for international students because on class/group discussion for the courses I have you can get in touch with them and ask any taken. Also, the course assessment methods are question you might have during your exchange in quite similar to that in HKUST which usually France. Moreover, there a plenty of societies and includes class participation, group projects, associations that you can join at KEDGE. In total, individual projects, and final exam. However, for there are 29 associations on the Bordeaux campus the final examination only one model of that includes Arts, Geopolitics & society, Media, calculator was allowed so students are required Economy & Finance, etc. The most interesting to bring that specific calculator. I would suggest association would be Wine and Spirits. you to borrow it from the local students as it costed me 19 € from the supermarket. 7) Sports & Recreation Facilities 10) Health & Safety There is a sport hall and a gym room available During my stay in Europe, I did not visit the doctor to all student on-campus. However, students but my friend did in Bordeaux. My friend must attain a health check-up and pay a fee to encountered some communication problems with use the services. the doctor as English is not the most commonly There are a few nice parks around the campus spoken language and needed to book for an that are worth going to. appointment with an English-speaking doctor. Also, the international student office will require all international students to purchase an additional insurance as well as a French Social Security package. Students can get refunds from the Social Security but the amount may vary case by case. 11) Food 14) Communication For most of the time at Bordeaux, my friends The most commonly spoken language in and I cooked at my place almost every day Bordeaux is French and some young people can because restaurants in Europe are more speak fluent English. However, it is commonly expensive than Hong Kong. We visited the known that some French people may be reluctant supermarket, “Auchan”, twice a week as it is the to speak English even they understand. So, it is biggest and cheapest supermarket in France. better to learn some basic dialogues in French. In Bordeaux, there are many different types of For mobile phone plan, I highly recommend “Free cuisines from around the world, ranging from Mobile” as it is the most value for money carrier authentic French cuisines to West African company we found in France. For 19.99 € a month, cuisines. you can get 50GB 4G within France, unlimited text For the cities around Europe that I’ve visited, messages and calls within France, and most Asian cuisines are surprisingly popular. importantly 3GB a month in the EU area. Also, you Moreover, Middle Eastern dishes such as kebab can make phone calls to Hong Kong and mainland are also very common around Europe. China for free and unlimited. It is very important to have internet access with travelling within Europe as you will need to use Google Maps very often. 12) Transportation 15) Cautionary measures Transportation within Bordeaux is very easy Bordeaux is a very safe city compared to other and I usually take the buses or trams.