Mobility specification

Country:France

Institution:ENS de Lyon

City:Lyon

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2025/2026

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Science / Department of Geography

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?neutral

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?There is a different format of the semester, but it depends on the study, I had it so that I had the semester divided into 2 parts, so I had some exams already in the middle of the semester, the schedule is a bit shorter than in the Czech Republic, I didn't really like this format, but it's probably individual.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes, there is an intensive course in French at the beginning of the year based on your level, from beginner to C2. However, these events are only for international students, integrating French students is a bit more challenging.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:19000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Yes, there was a housing deposit from the school, which pretty much cut into my Erasmus scholarship. I also think it's a shame that MUNI doesn't support a full year scholarship, because that was the only option for this school. The expenses were usually much more than the scholarship received.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?There's plenty of options, whether it's Action, there are shops selling plates and various other second-hand items, and students at the school also pass on their belongings to other classes. In the beginning, the expenses are simply the highest.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?neutral

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?I've seen better

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?There is a national carrier SNCF, but on the other hand France does not offer a discount for students -50% as in the Czech Republic on all fares, tickets are therefore sometimes astronomically expensive for a student, but as for TGV connections so prices are dynamic, so it depends on demand and date. You can buy the so called "Carte Avantage Jeune", but this offers only a 15% discount on fares for 50 euros. Personally, I've mostly moved around using the TGV OUIGO when they had discounts, or primarily by flixbus, the latter comes out cheap.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?mostly fine

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Definitely Notre Dame de Fourvière, Croix rousse, Vieux Lyon, Lugdunum - Musée et Théâtres romains etc. It is definitely worth going to one of the specific restaurants for Lyon called "Bouchon" which offers typical Lyon cuisine that is very famous and renowned all over the world.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?To nearby cities such as Geneva, Marseille at 100%, Annecy, Grenonble as hike destinations, Turin is also within easy reach.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Car

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?If you choose to travel by plane, the airport is not completely in the city, it is about 12km from the city and there is a special tram that costs 10 euros.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Czech beer :) The French are not exactly a beer nation and it shows, when it comes to beer culture they usually think of Belgium or Germany, 95% of the time they have no idea about the Czech Republic.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?It was a life experience, it opened one's eyes, prepared one for life and enriched one with unforgettable experiences. :)