BIENVENUE! - GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - ESIEE PARIS
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Guide for
International
Students
Bienvenue!
SUMMARY
WELCOME 1
SEVEN
ESTABLISHMENTS 2
FINDING
YOUR WAY 6
PUTTING
TOGETHER
YOUR STUDY PLAN 7
FINANCING
YOU STAY 11
FINDING
ACCOMODATION
15
UPON RECEIPT
OF THE LETTER
OF ACCEPTANCE 19
BEFORE
LEAVING 21
THE FIRST
DAYS 25
THE FIRST
MONTH
29
TAKING ADVANTAGE
OF THE
CULTURAL LIFE
35
RENEWING
YOUR RESIDENCE
PERMIT OR
PREPARING 41
DEPARTURE
KEEP
IN TOUCH 45
Bravo!
Like 6000 other international students that enrol each year, you’ll be
joining one of Université Paris-Est (UPE) establishments.
Vous faites le bon choix
With 50 000 undergraduates and 1450 postgraduates (including 45%
of internationally mobile PhD students), UPE is known as a major
scientific player.
Spread out within the Eastern Paris metropolitan area, the educational
establishments of UPE offer you an exceptional location, with
outstanding international student integration services in a human
scale environment. Twenty minutes by metro (subway) or RER train
and you are in the heart of Paris.
Bienvenue!
This guide for foreign students is designed to help you find your
bearings: preparation ahead of time, getting started upon your
arrival and guiding you through your new life in France.
A real aid to your integration, you will find here guidance and
practical information that will enable you to fully enjoy your stay
in France.
1
7 establishments
belonging to Université
Paris-Est have designed
this guide.
UPEC
With its 7 faculties, 5 institutes and its
Observatory of Sciences of the Universe, the
Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne (UPEC)
has been present in all areas of knowledge since
1971. As a major player in the dissemination of
academic, scientific and technological culture,
the university offers a wide range of training
programmes in over 300 disciplines, spanning
from the bachelor to the doctorate level. The
international dimension of UPEC is manifested
by 9 offshore programs and 27 joint degrees.
Its recognition in areas of scientific excellence
enhances its attractiveness. The diversification
of its economic partnerships increases its local
integration while promoting the employability of
its students. Strengthened by its pioneering spirit,
UPEC also has at its heart to boost international
exchanges and encourage the mobility of both
students and professors. –
2
UPEM École des Ponts ParisTech
A young university created in 1991, Since 1747, the École Nationale des Ponts et
the Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée (UPEM) Chaussées has been training high-level engineers
is characterized by a culture of innovation, capable of meeting the challenges of their
shaped by the development of close partnerships time in key areas that affect the daily lives of
with the economic world, both in the spheres of citizens and businesses: transportation, housing,
energy, environment, and urban services; as well
training and research. UPEM is a multidisciplinary
as public policies related to urban planning,
institution with 12 schools and research centres, sustainable development, and environmental
including a university institute of technology (IUT risk assessment and management. Today this
in French) and 16 research units. In pursuit of its prestigious «grande école» offers a range of
assigned public service missions, the university outstanding training programs: engineering
focuses particularly on two major objectives: degrees, masters, doctorates (PhD’s), specialized
employability (qualified work placement) and masters, MBA programs, and continuing
the development of research excellence. It also education. Students receive a broad, well-
maintains collaborations and close relations rounded education that is oriented towards
at both the European and international levels, management - in an environment that is open
in the spheres of education, student mobility to business and to the world at an international
and research. – level - thus enabling them to quickly reach
executive positions. A rich, pluralistic
establishment for education and research that
is open to business and to the world; welcome
to the École des Ponts ParisTech! –
3
ESIEE PARIS ESTP
ESIEE Paris, originally known as the Ecole The École Spéciale des Travaux Publics,
Breguet, was founded in 1904. From the du Bâtiment et de l’Industrie (ESTP) has trained
outset it distinguished itself as an Engineering nearly 30,000 engineers since its foundation in
School with a flair for innovation and 1891, the majority of whom have participated
entrepreneurship. It still maintains this focus as in the largest construction and development
ESIEE Paris, the Engineering School of the Paris projects - sectors of French excellence.
Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The objective of this private «grande école» -
After graduating, students find positions in a to train civil engineers to design, build, equip
wide variety of fields such as Computer Science, and maintain our quality of life - is a mission of
Electronics, Telecommunications and Embedded national interest. The ESTP has also always given
Systems, with careers which are often at the great importance to international openness.
interface of Technology and Management. – Specifically, the internationalization of the
school and its training is reflected today by
many tools and activities (mobility, language,
communication, etc.). –
4
EIVP ENSAVT
The École des Ingénieurs de la Ville de Paris L’École nationale supérieure d’architecture de la ville
(EIVP) is both a prestigious engineering school & des territoires is one of the twenty French higher
and a research laboratory on urban issues. national schools of architecture, administrative
It leads a double mission in training (initial and public bodies under the aegis of the Ministry of
ongoing) and research. For 50 years, Culture. Its creation arose from a wish to establish
EIVP has kept sustainable urban development a school of architecture at the heart of a suburban
at the core of its teaching and research. university campus, a school of architecture with
To reinvent the city and contribute towards an ethos of building design which would be in
training those who will make it change together harmony with the understanding of territories and
constitute the mission of this grand school their uses. The School, located in an environment
of engineering. – embodying all contemporary issues, seeks to
awaken in its students an awareness of an ever-
evolving world as well as to nurture reflection on
current architectural practices. This school prepares
for the State Architecture Diploma. The Architect’s
licence to project-manage under one’s own name
is intended for holders of the Architecture Diploma,
either directly after their studies or in the context of
work experience accreditation. Following the launch
of the DSA “architecte-urbaniste” in 2005, a 2nd
post-Masters specialization, the DPEA Architecture
Post-Carbone, opened in 2013. –
5
Val d’Europe
—>
EIVP
PARIS MA
RN
E
Bastille
Les ÉCOLE DES
E
SEIN
halles Nation Noisy
Champs PONTS PARISTECH
ESIEE PARIS ENSAVT
UPEM
Cité
Universitaire Cité Descartes
Arcueil Créteil 25mn
Cachan Université
Cachan ESTP UPEC
18mn
13mn
Créteil
map Sénart
Fontainebleau
—>
6
Premier pas!
Putting together
your study plan
7
WHERE CAN I RECEIVE
FURTHER INFORMATION?
V o i l à !
AT UPE MEMBER
INSTITUTIONS
UPE internationally mobile PhD students and researchers can be informed and guided by « acc&ss Paris-Est »,
before their arrival or during their scientist stay in France. All information about Université Paris-Est is available
on its website : WWW.UNIV-PARIS-EST.FR
7 partner institutions web pages:
− UNIVERSITÉ PARIS-EST CRÉTEIL − ÉCOLE DES INGÉNIEURS
(UPEC): DE LA VILLE DE PARIS (EIVP):
http://www.u-pec.fr/etudiant-etranger/ www.eivp-paris.fr
(near the top-right of the homepage, select
− UNIVERSITÉ PARIS-EST MARNE-LA- International > Incoming Students)
VALLÉE (UPEM):
http://www.u-pem.fr/international/ − ÉCOLE NATIONALE SUPÉRIEURE
etudes-a-lupem-entrants/ D’ARCHITECTURE DE LA VILLE ET
DES TERRITOIRES (ENSAVT):
− ÉCOLE DES PONTS PARISTECH : www.marnelavallee.archi.fr
(click on Affaires internationales on the left side
www.enpc.fr/etudier-lecole
of the homepage)
− ÉCOLE SPÉCIALE DES TRAVAUX
PUBLICS, DU BÂTIMENT ET DE − ESIEE PARIS:
L’INDUSTRIE (ESTP): www.esiee.fr/International/Accueil_
www.estp.fr/content/accueil-et- desetudiantsenechange.php
encadrement
8But also at :
www.campusfrance.org www.service-public.fr
Campus France: the public The internet portal of the French Je par le
institution in charge of student administration informs you about françai
mobility. Here you will find all the your rights and about adminis- s
information you’ll need for your trative procedures.
mobility project: studying in France
(course catalogue, student funding), www.cnous.fr
preparing your stay (administrative Learn about scholarships, student
paperwork), living in France residences, university restaurants,
(housing, health care, work, cultural events on the website of
daily life). the National Centre for University
and School Works (CNOUS).
www.enseignementsup- Good to know
recherche.gouv.fr www.letudiant.fr et
The website of the Ministry of www.studyrama.com The Espace Campus
Higher Education and Research: Two websites specialized in student France located in
life, student jobs, housing and
you will find here much information
about higher education in France. orientation. i!?
your country and
the Department of
www.etudiantdeparis.fr Cooperation and
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr The student association of Paris Cultural Action (SCAC)
The website of the Ministry of offers fact sheets dedicated to of the Embassy of
Foreign Affairs provides indications international students (visa, work, France can help you
on the administrative steps you budget, finding housing, etc.). better understand the
should take when coming to French educational
France (addresses for: consulates, system.
embassies, French alliances, French
government grants, etc.).
tipS
I speak and To find French courses
I learn French in your country, check
i!?
with the French cultural
institutions:
A basic level of French is a of Université Paris-Est (UPE). All
www.institutfrancais.
factor of success. The «advanced UPE establishments will help you in
com or the Alliances
intermediate» level (B1, B2) is this process: upon arrival, you can Françaises:
recommended for anyone wishing take courses in French as a foreign www.fondation-
to enter one of the establishments language (FLE). alliancefr.org
9I choose my training
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Training provided within establishments of in our universities and have them validated in all
the Université Paris-Est (UPE) is based on the European universities.
LMD system: bachelor, master, doctorate (PhD). The three levels of training (bachelor, master,
These 3 diplomas are recognized at the national doctorate) are classified in four large fields
and European levels. (arts, literature and languages; human and social
Advanced masters (Bac+6: 6 years of higher sciences; law, economics and management; science,
education) and MBA’s are offered by some technology and health). Short degrees (Bac +2),
establishments. bachelors and masters are subdivided into areas
These degrees are converted into ECTS credits of expertise (applied foreign languages, history,
(European Credit Transfer System), which represent international law, biology, etc.) in order to specify
a «European exchange currency» for students. This the syllabus followed by the student.
system allows you to earn credits during your stay
Understand the LMD system
CREDIT YEARS
SPÉ
*(HMONP, STATE DIPLOMA ENABLING THEHOLDER TO MANAGE BUILDING PROJECTS IN HIS OR HER OWN NAME)
+2
ANS
— BAC +8
PHARMACIEN SPÉ
MÉDECINE GÉNÉRALISTE
DENTISTE SPÉ
DOCTORATE
IN ARCHITECTURAL
DOCTORATE SCIENCES
— BAC +6
DIPLÔME D’HABILITATION
« MASTÈRE À LA MAÎTRISE D’OEUVRE
SPÉCIALISÉ » EN SON NOM PROPRE*
300 — — BAC +5
MASTER’S DEGREE
M2 PROFESSIONNAL
240 — RESEARCH — BAC +4
DIPLÔME
D’INGÉNIEUR -
M1
180 — MASTER’S DEGREE — BAC +3
SAGE-FEMME
PROFESSIONAL
PHARMACIE
BACHELOR’S DEGREE STATE
MÉDECINE
DENTAIRE
BACHELOR'S ARCHITECT’S
L3
DEGREE DIPLOMA
120 — — BAC +2
SECOND YEAR
L2 DUT SCIENCE COURSES
60 — — BAC +1
PACES : L1 FIRST YEAR
FIRST STAGE OF
MEDICAL STUDIES SCIENCE COURSES
BACCALAURÉAT
10Mon porte-monnaie
financing your stay
11Planning
my budget
In order to study under acceptable conditions,
you must have adequate financial resources to
face the costs of living in the eastern Paris region.
Monthly budget
Sample budget*:
Housing
(water and electricity included): E 500
Insurance
(home, public liability): E 20 to 45
Health insurance: E 30
Food: E 200
Transport: E 30
Telephone & Internet: E 20
Je fais
mes com School supplies: E 40
ptes Hobbies & outings: E 40
*This financial estimate will vary depending on your particular situation
(your type of accommodation most significant).
Budget upon enrolment
Additional fees should also be − Upon entering your
anticipated upon arrival. The first accommodation, you will need
month you will have to pay for: to pay, in addition to the first
important − Your tuition fees: check the sum month’s rent, a security deposit
and the terms of payment on the equal to one month’s rent
Students who must website of the establishment you (excluding taxes).
apply for a visa, at the want to study at. − Settling in costs (sheets, towels,
consulate must submit − If you come from a non-European kitchen utensils, etc.).
proof of sufficient Union country, student social security − Various sign-up fees (sport,
financial resources to is mandatory: around E 200. electricity, telephone, etc.).
pursue studies in the − The OFII tax (French Office for
i!?
eastern Paris region. Immigration and integration):
about E 50.
12Financial aid & other resources
Applying for a scholarship
Financial aid you can apply for: Find out more from:
− Scholarships from your − The educational establishment
government. you are coming from.
− Scholarships from the French − The office for cooperation and important
government. cultural action at the French
− Scholarships from the European Embassy in your country of origin. Closing dates for
Union. − The Campus France website, scholarship applications
− Scholarships from international which lists all scholarship are very early. Many
organizations, for example. programs available: applications must be
www.campusfrance.org. ready by October/
November in order to
i!?
begin the following
September.
Completing your budget:
Students jobs
Labour legislation in − If you hold a short-stay
France visa, you must apply for a
temporary work permit from the
− If you come from a country DIRECCTE (Regional Department
that is a member of the important
of Businesses, Competition,
European Union (excluding Consumption, Labour and
Croatia) you can work in You have the
Employment) that corresponds to
opportunity to work
addition to your studies, within an your address in France. during your studies but
annual limitation of 964 hours or
− If you possess a long- this will not allow you to
approximately 20 hours per week.
stay visa equivalent to a cover all your expenses.
− If you come from another residence permit, you must A student job can
country, you can work up to
60% of the amount of normal
present it to your employer after
validation from the OFII (French
i!?
only be considered as
supplementary income.
working hours in France, which Office for Immigration and
equates to 964 hours per year or Integration).
approximately 20 hours per week.
− If you are from Algeria,
− If you come from Croatia, you according to the Franco-
must apply for a «UE - étudiant - Algerian agreement, you
toutes activités à titres accessoires» must request a temporary
permit from the prefecture of the work permit from the relevant
department you reside in France. DIRECCTE (Regional Department
13of Businesses, Competition, Alternating training
Consumption, Labour and (sandwich courses)
Employment), as indicated on
The duration of work in this case
your residence permit. You can
Understand will be above the authorized
work up to 822.5 hours per year,
legal limit. You must request a
or 18.5 hours per week.
You will hear temporary work permit from the
the phrase «SMIC Find more information on the DIRECCTE (Regional Department
horaire». This is website: of Businesses, Competition,
the regulated minimum vosdroits.services-public.fr Consumption, Labour and
wage in France. Its Employment) that corresponds to you.
hourly rate varies on a Student jobs within your
yearly basis, for more establishment Doing an internship as
information please refer It is difficult to find a student job part of your studies
to: www.service-public.fr. from your country of origin. Do not If you do an internship, its duration
rely on this option for obtaining is not counted as part of the
Alternating authorized 964 working hours (or
a visa. You can find a student job
(or sandwich) 822.50 hours for Algerian students),
once in France. The educational
training is so you do not have to apply for a
establishments regularly offer
structured into work permit.
student jobs - check with the office
alternate periods
of student affairs («Service de
of acquiring know-
la Vie Universitaire») to find out
how and experience
more about these opportunities.
in a company, and
In addition, job offers are posted
periods of theoretical
on the websites of certain partner
training within a
institutions. -
higher education
establishment. Please visit the student job central:
www.jobaviz.fr.
The internship
agreement is
the equivalent of an
employment contract
for internships. It is a
document signed by the
establishment where
you do your studies, the
company that hosts and
yourself. The internship
agreement defines
the conditions of the
internship: its duration,
the remuneration and
the social coverage of
the trainee.
Je cherc
he un j
ob
14Mon petit pied-à-terre
finding accommodation
15Procedures you should know
Please note that it is much more comfortable to have
accommodation arranged and secured before your arrival.
Be sure to ask your host institution about the accommodation
services it offers.
IMPORTANT
Identify the precise
location and
Before taking possession
means of access to of your room or apartment:
your educational
establishment and search
for accommodation that You must sign a lease. This government housing assistance.
is preferably nearby. agreement, commonly called a Rent is usually paid at the
i!?
Limiting your commuting «bail» in French, contracts the beginning of each month. You
time is advantageous for tenant and the owner (be it an should ask for a receipt, called
your studies. organization or an individual). a «quittance de loyer», from
You must be a signatory to such a your landlord to justify the
Fact Sheet N°3 rental agreement in order to receive payment of rent.
More information for
finding accommodation.
3 preconditions are required
for signing a lease:
1/ O
rganizations and months following your departure
individuals who rent rooms from the dwelling, after verifying
require guarantees, which that you have left the property
can be either: in the same state in which you
TipS
− a guarantor (or sponsor): received it. The owner is entitled
a person residing in France, to withdraw from this sum the
There are 3 types of
rental: empty, equipped who has been paying taxes in amount necessary for carrying out
France for more than 3 years repairs in the event of damages.
i!?
or furnished. Find more
information in and has sufficient income to
Fact Sheet N°2. pay for your rent if you stop 3/ A
s a tenant, you must
doing so; imperatively subscribe to
− a n upfront payment of the a home insurance policy
total sum of all monthly that covers the risk of fire,
instalments upon entry into water damage, theft, etc. -
the property. known as a «multirisques
habitation» policy. Student
2/ A security deposit, or credit unions and banks offer
«caution», that usually this type of insurance policy.
corresponds to one month’s Inquire at the time of student
rent. This money deposit will registration or when you open a
be returned to you within the 2 bank account.
16Different
housing options
University Private student
residence residence
Accommodation in residence You will find lots of offers for
halls fills up quickly in the eastern renting rooms in private residences,
_›
Paris region, with demand greatly published on the websites
exceeding supply. Often well www.adele.org and
e st l à
located, university residences offer
lower prices. Identify the residences
that are near your place of study.
www.fac-habitat.com. They
offer the advantage of providing a
number of services: reception, laundry,
C’
Then put together your application cafeteria, common room, etc.
form online through the CNOUS
website, starting January 15th: Homestay
www.cnous.fr.
Warning: very few places are Some people offer rooms in
available; do not wait until the their apartment or house. These IMPORTANT
last minute. individuals are generally more
flexible on the guarantees Accommodation in
Flat-sharing requested, but beware you will not university residences
be entitled to government housing is mainly reserved
assistance. Some families do not for students with
Known in French as «colocation», ask for a financial contribution scholarships from the
this type of accommodation but instead request a little work French Government and
consists of sharing an apartment in exchange (caring for children, students that belong to
(or a house) with others - be they cleaning, etc.). This solution can i!?
an organised mobility
students, artists or employed be beneficial to all the parties, but programme.
workers - and thus split the rent. there is no regulating legislation.
Many ads are posted on specialized As soon as you move in, you must
websites. clearly define the tasks and the
Free websites: number of hours expected from
www.koloc.org you. There are organisations that do
www.colocationfrance.fr the job of selecting families for you. TIPS
Websites that charge a fee: You have to pay for these services.
www.appartager.com Atome: If you receive a room on
www.colocation.fr www.atomeparis campus, arrive during
www.portail-colocation.com Séjour France Famille: i!?
the week, Monday to
Friday, before 16:00.
www.sejoursfrancefamille.fr The reception closes
at 16:00 during the
weekday and is closed
the weekend.
17Individual «Turnkey»
studio services
Tips There are associations that offer
Directly from an owner or through a
turnkey services for your installation
The individual studio is a real estate agency, you can rent an
(housing, banking, insurance,
good option to pursue if individual apartment. You will have
telephone, etc.) and integration
i!?
you have family already
in France who can visit
to pay non-refundable agency fees,
called «honoraires».
(discounts at some restaurants,
gyms, beauty salons, etc.). These
the apartments for you, are private services that you must
Website for renting from
present a guarantee, pay for.
individuals:
and sign the lease.
www.pap.fr
In the Paris region:
Beware of www.erashome.com
Website with agency advertisements:
scams! Bed and School:
www.seloger.com
Never pay the rent in www.bedandschool.com
advance before leaving
your country.
Housing assistance
You can apply for financial aid to you reside. In order to qualify for
help pay for your accommodation; aid, be a tenant or a flatmate and
it will be calculated according to your name on the lease.
your resources. Housing subsidies
More information on the CAF
Fact sheets are paid by the CAF (Caisse
website: www.caf.fr
d’Allocations Familiales).
Fact Sheet N°4
The CAF is a departmental service,
To better understand
so you should address inquires to
the French territorial
the CAF of the department in which
divisions: the commune,
the department,
the region, and the
territorial «collectivités»
(the local authorities).
Mon ch
ez-moi
18Allons-y!
when you get the letter
of acceptance
19Preparing my departure
Identify a contact
Good to know Visit the website of your host later than required by the course
institution to identify a contact calendar, you must also inform
Doctoral (PhD) students with whom you can correspond in your host institution of this. Plenty
accepted at Université all matters related to your arrival of «Campus France» centres offer
i!?
Paris-Est institutions
benefit from the help
(enrolment services, international
relations department and
pre-departure sessions. It is strongly
recomended that you take part in
of a dedicated support department of student life). Start by one of these sessions.
team: Acc&ess Paris-Est confirming to the host institution
E-mail: access@univ- your interest in the chosen training
paris-est.fr programme. If you plan to arrive
Preparing my visa
application
Do you need Documentation
Understand
a visa?
Upon your acceptance by the
All information If you come from a member state establishment, contact the French
on visas (types of of the European Union, you do not consular authorities in order to
visas, procedures for need a visa to study in France. If obtain a list of the documents
obtaining, etc.) on the you come from another country, a required to apply for a visa. We
website of the Campus visa is mandatory. advise you to not wait until the
France Agency: www. deadline of the visa to prepare
campusfrance.org your application, because some
Different types documents can require time to
of visas obtain.
Before submitting your visa
application to the consular
authorities, identify in advance the
important type of visa you should apply for.
There are several categories of visa: Ouf, mon
When handing in your
visa application, pay
short-stay visa (less than 90 days),
j’ai a!
vis
«exam» visa (to take an exam or
attention to deadlines do an interview), long-stay visa for
during busy periods, studies (residence permit VLS-TS),
especially from July to and long-stay visa for scientists and
September! researchers.
i!?
20Bon voyage!
Before leaving
21I announce
my arrival
Ensure means of Find out about
communication reception services
and payment for
the first days Inquire with your host
establishment about reception
events that may be planned:
Think ahead about having a welcome day, integration week,
phone that works in France. etc., and let them know of your
Save your contacts numbers: arrival.
accommodation, educational
establishment, and emergency Also ask about the opening
numbers. hours for student registration, or
even try to get an appointment.
Also make sure that your bank
card allows you to withdraw Inform the
money from cash machines (ATM’s)
in France (you will find them
owner of your
in airports and train stations). accommodation,
Otherwise, plan to carry enough or the residence,
cash to pay for transportation to of your arrival
your accommodation. You will find
money exchange offices “bureaux
de change” at airports, railway If you stay at a university
stations, and, generally, close to bus residence: you will receive your
stations. key at the reception. Take heed!
The reception closes at 16:00 and
doesn’t open on weekends.
If you stay in private
accommodation: contact the
owner and make an appointment to
fill in the initial state document of
the property and get the keys.
Me vo
ilà!
22Getting Organized
What to put IF YOU DON’T
in my suitcase HAVE PERMANENT
ACCOMODATION
ON YOUR ARRIVAL GOOD TO KNOW
While wishing to fit too much into
our suitcase, we often forget the
If you follow a specific
basics. In your suitcase you should
Don’t forget to book a room in a medical treatment,
put:
− One or two adapters for your
youth hostel or in a hotel, for your
first days in France
i!?
remember to take
enough medecine for
electrical devices: phones, tablets, − In a youth hostel (20 to 30 €/ your entire stay.
computers, etc. Voltages in France night in a shared bedroom):
are 220 V. Check out your device. www.fuaj.org
− A bilingual dictionary or a − In a hotel (minimum 75 €/night):
language application can prove www.booking.com ;
especially useful in the early days. www.hotels.com
www.kayak.com
− Appropriate clothing. For − In a room in a private home,
information on the French short stays:
climate, please refer to www.atomeparis.com ;
www.meteofrance.com www.airbnb.com
r riv e !
J’a
23Don’t forget
Important documents
Like all international students - whether European or not, and whether part
important of an exchange program or not - you will have to perform administrative
procedures in France for which you will need a certain number of documents.
Do not make passport
photos in advance Non-exhaustive list:
while in your country − passport or national identity card for members of the
because they will not Schengen area (make sure your document is not expired)
be accepted for official − birth certificate and certified translation
documents. You will − health record and recent x-rays
i!?
find photo booths
(«photomatons») that
− documentation specifying your health care coverage in your
country:
produce «passport» . s tudents from the European Union: forms E111 or E128 or your
format photos near European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
your educational . students from Quebec: form SE401Q102bis or SE401Q106
establishment, primarily − certificate of registration or letter of acceptance at the host
in metro (subway) or establishment (university or school)
RER stations. − latest academic diploma (certificate) and corresponding
transcripts, together with certified translations
− certificate of proficiency in French or English, depending on the
language of your chosen study program
− driving license (optional)
GOOD TO KNOW
For European students,
there are multilingual
i!?
birth certificates which
avoid having to pay for
a translation
Mon l
aissez
- passer
24En route!
The first days
25Moving into
my accommodation
Signing the lease and paying the security deposit
Whenever you rent a property, you must sign a lease and pay a security deposit.
See Fact Sheet N°2.
I register with my school
Within the first few days following your arrival, you must register at the
establishment where you are going to study («inscription administrative et
pédagogique»).
Administrative procedures
Getting house banks to simplify the procedure
of opening an account.
insurance
Purchasing civil
Fact You need to get house insurance liability insurance
sheets before signing the lease. Student credit
unions or your French bank may offer
Fact Sheet this type of contract. This type of insurance covers you in
N°1 the event that you accidentally cause
A glossary of Opening a bank harm to a third party. It is compulsory
banking terms. account in France. Banks and student credit
unions offer this type of contract, but
make sure you do not pay for it twice.
If you plan to stay for more than 3
months in France, we advise you Signing up for
to open a bank account. Some
organizations such as CAF or the heating and
public healthcare system will only electricity services
reimburse you by bank transfer to an
account in France. A bank account
will also be useful for setting up Upon entering privately rented housing,
an automated monthly payment of you must subscribe with an electricity
your transportation charges. Some service provider.
establishments and associations of EDF-GDF
Université Paris-Est have agreements www.bleuciel.edf.com
with certain banks. Inquire at the
Direct Énergie
office of student administration,
www.direct-energie.com
the office of international relations,
or an association, for a list of
26Communication
Telephone Internet
important
You can buy prepaid telephone If your home is equipped for an
cards. These are advantageous Internet connection, you can send Pay attention to
for international calls, however an activation request directly to the conditions of
the cost of a national call is very the telephone company you have termination for «forfait»
high. You also have the option to chosen. All companies offer Internet packages with a time
take out a subscription package, packages. However if your home commitment. These
commonly called a «forfait». There is not appropriately equipped, an offers can seem very
are a multitude of forfaits available.
Before signing a contract, find out
Orange technician will need to
install a line, which will implicate
i!?
attractive at first glance,
but the costs are quite
about the conditions of termination, additional costs. high if you leave before
the cost of international calls, and the end of the contract.
the charges that apply if you go
beyond your package’s limits. You
can learn more by contacting the
leading operators: Free, Orange and
Bouygues Telecom (for example).
You can also make international
calls from a «taxiphone» - a shop
that offers inexpensive telephone
booths.
Prepaid cards:
Lebara www.lebara.fr
La Poste www.lapostemobile.fr
Virgin www.virginmobile.fr
Main operators:
Free www.free.fr
Orange www.orange.fr
Bouygues Telecom
www.bouyguestelecom.fr
Allo?
27emergency numbers
In case of problem
Emergency telephone numbers allow calling emergency services for
free, 24 hours a day.
In all cases, in order to facilitate and expedite the processing of your
call, make sure you specify these three points:
− Who you are: Are you a victim or a witness? Consider providing
a phone number at which you will remain within reach.
− Where you are: Give the precise address of the place where the
services are needed.
− Why you are calling: Explain the reasons for your call.
SAMU: 15
The service for emergency medical aid (SAMU) is for obtaining the
intervention of a medical team, in a situation requiring immediate
medical attention.
POLICE rescue: 17
This number can be called to report an emergency to the police.
Fire Department: 18
Fact sheets The Fire Department number is for reporting a dangerous situation or
an accident involving property or persons requiring rapid intervention
Fact Sheet N°5 (fire, gas leak, car accident, etc.).
Find all these special
telephone numbers.
28Un petit aperçu!
the first month
29Continuing my
administrative procedures
Validate your visa Transportation
Good to know
If you are a citizen of a country The region of Île-de-France is
The first trains run at within the European Economic connected by:
around 5:30 and the Area, you do not need a residence
448 train and commuter rail (RER)
i!?
last ones around 0:30
on weekdays and
permit.
stations,
1:45 on Friday and If you are a student from 302 metro (subway) stations,
Saturday nights and another country, you must 129 tram stations and over
on the eve of public validate your residence permit 32,000 bus stops.
holidays. These times at the OFII (French Office for
This dense and widespread network
are approximations. Visit Immigration and Integration).
will allow you to move easily while
www.stif.info for exact You have 3 months as of your at the same time benefiting from
times for your station. arrival on French territory to the advantageous «Imagine’R»
perform this procedure, but do not pass for students under 26
wait until the last moment. years of age. This package also
allows you to travel throughout
More information: www.ofii.fr
the entire Île-de-France during
weekends, holidays, school holidays
(including July 15 to August 15), with
no zone restrictions (the network is
divided into 5 tariff zones).
Fact sheets
More information on the website of
Fact Sheet N°3 STIF: www.stif.info.
Understanding the Paris
transport system.
30Fitting into
my establishment
Take French Community life
classes Good to know
Joining a student association
All UPE establishments offer you or participating in the activities Some schools offer
courses of French as a foreign organized by the BDE are good additional specific
language (FLE, for «Français Langue ways to meet other students and
speak French!
i!?
programs (summer
courses, intensive
Étrangère»), either within your
school or in a partner institution. courses, etc.). Check
University with your host
Athletic activities restaurants institution.
All UPE establishments offer University restaurants, commonly
you a wide variety of athletic called CROUS, are accessible to all
activities. You simply need to pay students at preferential prices: you
a membership fee to the sports pay between € 3 and 4 for a meal.
association or to the Student Office A list of restaurants is available on
(BDE, for «Bureau des Élèves»). the CROUS website: www.crous.fr
p é t it !
Bo n ap
31libraries
Other public
libraries
Eastern Paris is woven by an
National extensive network of public
libraries libraries and media libraries
(«médiathèques»). Of varying
sizes, these libraries offer cultural
− The Bibliothèque Nationale and educational activities. They
de France (BNF), François- are freely accessible and you only
Mitterrand site (Paris, 13th). need to sign up for a library card if
Readers have to pay a fee you want to borrow books or other
either for an annual card or for works.
twenty entries − Municipal libraries located in
www.bnf.fr Val-de-Marne:
Ideas www.lecturepublique94.net
− The Bibliothèque Publique − Municipal libraries located in
d’Information (BPI), Centre Seine-et-Marne:
The Mazarine Library is
Pompidou (Paris, 4th). mediatheque.seine-et-marne.fr
the oldest public library
www.bpi.fr − Municipal libraries located in
in France (1643): you
may study there or Paris:
simply visit it. The network www.paris.fr/bibliotheques
www.bibliotheque- of Université
mazarine.fr.
Paris-Est Libraries open
on Sundays
Within each establishment you
will find either a documentation The BNF is open on Sundays from
centre, a university library (BU), or 13:00 to 19:00 and the BPI from
a common documentation service 11:00 to 22:00.
Good to know (SCD). Together, these resources The Central Library of the Cité
make up a network of university Internationale (Paris, 14th) is
There is a service that libraries. Access is open and you can open on Sundays from 13:00 to
assists with literature borrow books upon presentation 19:00. www.ciup.fr/bibliotheque
i!?
research and is available
online:
of your student card, in accordance
with the the specific regulations Two public libraries located in Paris:
of each institution. A common Marguerite-Yourcenar Library
www.ruedesfacs.fr.
library search portal allows you to (Paris, 15th) and Marguerite-
This is a free question Duras Library (Paris, 20th) open
and answer service open identify and locate the information
resources you require for your on Sundays from 13:00 to 18:00.
to all. Responses are
sent by e-mail within research:
three business days portail-doc.univ-paris-est.fr
(excluding weekends
and holidays).
32My health
France has a high-performing health system that foreign
students can benefit from.
Social security of their department of residence,
where they will be issued a
and private health document that should be presented
insurance to physicians. Reimbursement
claims are addressed to the CPAM.
Health care coverage is composed It is compulsory for all other
of the Assurance Maladie (Social foreign students under 28 years of
Security), that reimburses medical
expenses based on agreed rates
age. You will be charged a fee when
a v a ?
Ç
you enrol. You can choose between
(between 35-80%), and the
two student social security options:
«mutuelle», a supplementary
private insurance which − la Mutuelle des Étudiants (LMDE)
complements repayments by www.lmde.fr ;
between 35 to 100%. − la Société Mutualiste des
Étudiants de la Région Parisienne
(SMEREP): www.smerep.fr.
The Assurance
Students over 28 years of age
Maladie cannot be covered under the student
social security scheme, but can
This public health insurance is instead benefit from Universal Health
one of the features of the Social Coverage (CMU, for «Couverture Good to know
Security. It is mandatory, and it Maladie Universelle») if they stay
gives you the right to receive partial for more than 3 months and are not Some of the Université
or total reimbursements of your employed. Paris-Est establishments
medical expenses.
More information at: www.ameli.fr i!?
offer their students a
health service (a medical
Student social centre or access to a
La mutuelle network of preventive
security medicine services called
affiliation All students under 28 years of age Résus). Inform yourself
can take out a supplementary health by referring to the
insurance, called a «mutuelle». website of your host
It is not mandatory for students While it is not mandatory, it is institution.
from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, highly recommended. The social
Norway and Switzerland, who security agencies will offer this
must be in possession of form complementary insurance during
E111 or E128 or the European registration. One of its greatest
Health Insurance Card (EHIC); nor advantages is that it entitles you
for students from Quebec, who to the «tiers-payant» a system
must carry form SE401Q106. These that exempts you from paying the
students must report to the Primary medical expenses in advance, in
Insurance Fund (CPAM, for «Caisse some cases. It also allows for the
reimbursement of hospital expenses.
Primaire d’Assurance Maladie»)
33Receiving medical
treatment
Choosing a doctor
In order to get the best You will be better reimbursed
reimbursement of your medical if you follow this «itinerary of
expenses, you should choose coordinated care.» Nevertheless,
a primary doctor, called your some specialists can be consulted
«médecin traitant», who is in most without going through your
cases a general practitioner and reference doctor and without
is responsible for following your
you being penalized. Such is
medical history.
the case with gynaecologists,
Choose a doctor near you or near ophthalmologists and dentists.
your school.
Consultation fees vary
You must download a form for depending on the subsidized sector.
declaring your reference doctor Refer to the website www.ameli.fr
from: www.ameli.fr («Choisir et before going to a doctor in order to
déclarer votre médecin traitant», at
know the price of the consultation
the bottom of the homepage, under
«Vous êtes assuré»). This document and the reimbursement rate for
must be signed by your doctor which you qualify.
and sent to the CPAM of your
ine
department. In the event that you
need to be seen by a specialist, only
your doctor can refer you.
E n p l e
forme!
pharmacies
Medicine is sold only Pharmacies are generally open
in pharmacies. You will Monday through Saturday from
find pharmacies close to all 9:00 to 19:00. Outside these hours,
establishments of Université you must go to a pharmacy
Paris-Est. “on duty out-of-hours” («une
pharmacie de garde»). You will
Many drugs can only be sold find a list of those currently on
upon presentation of a doctor’s duty posted on the doors of all
prescription. Some common pharmacies.
medications, such as aspirin, are
available over the counter, but only
medicine bought with a prescription
will be covered and reimbursed by
the Social Security.
34La joie de vivre
Taking advantage of the
cultural life
35taking advantage
of the cultural life
Beyond the cultural activities offered by your school, cultural
life is very rich in eastern Paris and is accessible to students at
discounted rates.
Cultural activities
in eastern Paris
A few cultural centres located near UPE establishments:
Tips
The Cité Internationale: La Maison des arts
True to the cosmopolitan vocation de Créteil:
Two publications:
L’Officiel des Spectacles of «the student city», the theatre A place of generalist artistic
of the Cité Internationale offers production and dissemination
i!?
and Pariscope, available
every Wednesday, inform theatre, dance, music, performance especially focused on the use
you of all the cultural and circus from the whole world. of digital technologies in the
events taking place in www.theatredelacite.com performing arts.
Paris and the suburbs www.maccreteil.com
The National Theatre at
during that week.
la Colline: The Museum of
,
Contemporary Art of
r
A theatre dedicated to modern
s o i Val-de-Marne
Ce rs!
theatre, with a program that
puts into perspective the texts of – The MAC/VAL –
je so
contemporary living writers with The first museum to be exclusively
those of great playwrights. devoted to the French art scene
www.colline.fr beginning in the 1950s;
2,000 works of art make up the
La Ferme du Buisson: permanent collection, which are
is a place that offers open-air areas, presented in resonance with 3-4
theaters and concert halls, cinemas temporary exhibitions per year.
and a contemporary art center. It www.macval.fr
is a center of manufacturing and
promotion of art accessible to all
audiences.
www.lafermedubuisson.com
36The benefits of The Press
being a student
The national press
Accessible to all students under 30
Four major national dailies share
years of age, the ticket office of
the French publishing scene. You
CROUS Paris offers special rates Vocabulary
will find them priced at € 2 or less.
for high quality cultural events:
Le Monde www.lemonde.fr
www.crous-paris.fr. A newspaper
Le Figaro www.lefigaro.fr
Musicians can live out their passion published daily is a
Libération www.liberation.fr
in the OCUP, the Orchestra and
Choir of the Universities of Paris:
Les Échos www.lesechos.fr i!? «quotidien»; weekly,
a «hebdomadaire»;
www.ocup.fr monthly, a «mensuel».
Free newspapers are also
Some museums are free for available, distributed in the
people under 26 years of age, vicinity of metro and RER stations:
and all museums offer reduced Metronews, 20 Minutes, Direct
rates for students. You can also Matin.
enjoy discounted prices in most
theatres, cultural centres and The specialized press
cinemas. Many French newspapers are Good to know
The Paris National Opera available in paper and electronic
offers young people it’s «Pass’ format. Regional press (for Ile- The sale of newspapers
Jeunes» (in partnership with the de-France: Le Parisien www. on the street is
Comédie-Française) and offers «last
minute» seats one hour before the
leparisien.fr), specialized press
(economics, history, art history, i!?
characteristic of Paris.
These news-stands
performance, subject to availability. international relations, music, etc..), are commonly called
More information at: Satirical press (Le Canard Enchaîné, «kiosques à journaux».
www.operadeparis.fr not available online), and tabloids In other cities you
(Paris Match www.parismatch.com). will find newspapers
in bookstores and
newsagents («maisons
de la presse»).
37Discovering France
and Europe
The beating
heart of Europe
The eastern Paris region is at the
heart of Europe. From Paris by
train, you can access:
amsterdam
3:20 h
londres bruxelles
1:30 h 1:30 h berlin
1:50 h
paris
rome
Barcelone 1:45h
1:40 h
Lisbonne
2:25 h
Good to know
Many associations
organize trips and
i!?
excursions at extremely
reasonable prices.
For a list of certain
associations, please visit
this website:
www.etudiantdeparis.fr
On y va
!
38Visiting places
Traveling Tourist sites
in the east
By Plane of the Paris region
Find low-cost offers on websites
that carry out price comparisons, The banks of the Marne
such as Liligo
Liligo www.liligo.com ou
The banks of the Marne river offer
la d e
Vol24 www.vol24.fr.
many walks and traditional dances
in «guinguettes» (popular cabarets
at the water’s edge).
B a
By Train www.culture-guinguette.com
To travel to other cities and
The castle of Vaux-le-
provinces in France, all destinations
Vicomte
and prices are available on the This castle, located in the
SNCF website: department of Seine-et-Marne,
www.voyages-sncf.com dates from the 17th century. It was
To discover Europe towards the east built for the Superintendent of King Tips
Louis XIV, Nicolas Fouquet, who
(Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne),
appealed to the best artists of the SNCF offers a special
visit Thalys’ website: time: the first royal architect, Louis
www.thalys.com card for people 18-27
Le Vau; the painter and founder of
For London, check the Eurostar the Academy of Painting, Charles Le i!?
years old. At a price of
50 € per year, you
Brun; and the landscape architect of
website: benefit from a 25%
the king, André Le Nôtre.
Eurostar: www.eurostar.com www.vaux-le-vicomte.com discount on all your
travels, and up to 60%
By bus The castle of Champs- discount if you buy your
You can reach certain French and Sur-Marne ticket online well in
European cities by bus (coach). Also located in Seine-et-Marne, advance:
www.idbus.com this castle of the 18th century is www.sncf.com
www.eurolines.fr (nearly 30 the symbol of the «small vacation
homes» of this era. It is surrounded Discover the south
destinations in Europe). of France from the
by one of the most beautiful parks
in France, which combines French station Marne-la-Vallée
Driving in France
and English style gardens. - Chessy with a low
You can drive in France with a
champs-sur-marne.monuments- budget using:
permit issued in your country of nationaux.fr www.ouigo.fr/
origin for the duration of your
studies, as long as your license Disneyland Paris
is valid and it is either written The amusement park is accessible
by train on RER line A (station
in French or accompanied by an
«Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy»). It is
official translation. You must also only five stations away from Cité Discover
have the minimum age required Descartes, where four institutions
in France, which is 18. More belonging to Université Paris-Est The website of the Office
information: are located. for Tourism in France:
www.vosdroits.service-public.fr www.disneylandparis.fr www.tourisme.fr
39In case
of problems
I’ve lost
l or s ! my bank card
Z ut a Inform your bank and cancel it
immediately!
If your bank card is lost or stolen, immediately call the
number provided by your bank when you opened your
account.
I’ve lost
an identity document
GOOD TO KNOW Go immediately to the nearest police
station to report the loss or theft.
It is advisable to keep You will be provided a provisional identification
separate a photocopy document allowing you to move freely. You will then
i!?
of each ID document
(both sides) or, better
need to contact your embassy.
yet, to scan them and You will find a list of consular
save them in a place authorities resented in France on the website of
you can access over the the Maison des Français de l’Étranger: www.mfe.org.
internet (your e-mail, for
example). In case of loss
or theft, you will thus be I’ve lost
able to recover a copy, my phone
which will facilitate the
renewal process.
Inform your telephone company so it can take the
appropriate steps to protect your line.
40Je reste... je pars
Renewing your
residence permit or
preparing departure
41Continuing studies
Enrol in an establishment
Good to know Before beginning any paperwork with the French authorities, you must re-
enrol in your school and receive a certificate of registration.
Unlike the short-stay
visa, you do not have
Renew your residence permit
i!?
to return to your home
country in order to
get a new visa. The
renewal of a long-stay When your first residence The renewal of the residence
visa takes place in permit (VLS-TS) expires, you can permit is subject to verification
France, and results in a get a multiannual stay permit. You of attendance during the past
valid residence permit need to renew your permit with the academic year: presence at
(VLSTS). prefecture that corresponds to the exams, progress in your studies,
department you reside in (students or coherence of shifts in career
residing in Paris must go to the orientation.
police headquarters). You will also need to provide
This new residence permit will proof of financial resources. If
be detached from your passport you work, this revenue is taken into
important and will be in the form of a plastic account.
card. After verification by the
Once you obtain the
The renewal must be made prefecture, you will get a
multiannual stay permit,
within the two months before residence permit covering all of
each year you will have
the expiration of your current your studies, up to 4 years.
to send proof of having
passed your exams residence permit. As the waiting More information:
or admittance for the period varies for an appointment, www.campusfrance.fr
i!?
following year, via a
registered letter with
inform yourself well in advance.
acknowledgment of
receipt.
42I acquire FIRST EXPERIENCE
AT THE END OF MY STUDIES
Legislation
You are a citizen of the − Once you have an
European Union: employment contract
You can work freely at the end of that is related to your
your studies. degree, you can work
You are not a citizen of full time. You must receive
the European Union, a wage that is at least 1.5
and you hold a degree equivalent to times the minimum wage.
a Master’s degree (Bac +5): − Within 15 days following
− At the end of your «student» the signature of your
residence permit and after contract, you must apply for
you graduate, you can apply for a temporary working residence
a temporary residence permit. permit at the prefecture that
− You are allowed to seek corresponds to your address.
and take employment for More information:
the duration of your temporary www.vosdroits.service-public.fr
residence permit. If your
employment is unrelated to
your degree, you are limited to
964 hours (60% of the annual
working time).
Organizations that assist
in finding a job
The agency Pôle Emploi is the offers of employment):
public institution in charge of www.apec.fr
employment issues in France. You Check with your establishment to
will find job offers posted on its find out what help they provide in
website: www.pole-emploi.fr search of employment.
For holders of a diploma equivalent
to a master degree (Bac +5), the Also check specialized websites and
Association for the Employment of journals in your field of study.
Executives (APEC) is a private
organization that can help you in
your efforts (advice, support and
43Preparing departure
Get your certificate
Vocabulary Consider asking the school for proof of education, your transcripts and
eventually your degree certificate (diploma).
A registered letter with
recorded delivery (LR/ Leaving your accommodation
i!? AR) is a service offered
by post offices that
serves as legal proof. It If you are in a furnished apartment,
is therefore commonly the notice period is one month.
used in the context of
terminating a contract. If you are in an empty apartment,
the period is three months.
In all cases, send a registered letter with recorded delivery to your landlord or
management agency.
Terminate your subscriptions
Before leaving, make sure you have performed the
following steps:
To close your bank account,
Fact sheets you do not have a notice period to respect nor do you have to submit any
justifying documentation. Send a registered letter with recorded delivery to
Fact Sheet N°4 your bank agency. Warning: if your account is overdrawn, you must correct
Information concerning this situation before closing your account.
the post office. If you signed-up for a monthly travel pass,
Fact Sheet N°5 go to RATP agency to cancel your «forfait» package. If you hired a telephone
Example of how to write and/or Internet service, inquire with your carrier on notice periods. All
an administrative letter. correspondence should be sent in the form of registered letters with recorded
delivery.
You also need to terminate your insurance policies (housing, civil
liability).
You must send a registered letter with recorded delivery to your insurance
agency. Find out about notice periods, which vary between organizations.
44You can also read
