Leaving France to study abroad is an enriching experience with several benefits. Exchange programs offer students the opportunity to continue their university studies in a European country or around the world at a lower cost.
Programs for studying abroad
The European Union has strongly promoted student mobility between member countries through study abroad programs between educational institutions. In addition to the opportunity to study abroad, these programs offer financial aid.
Go with Erasmus to Europe and around the world
The iconic Erasmus program needs no introduction. Since its creation in 1987, it has offered millions of European students the opportunity to study abroad for a year in one of the member countries.
Building on its success, a second program called Erasmus Mundus was launched in 2003. It is aimed at students wishing to pursue a doctorate or master's degree abroad, outside of Europe. Lasting one to two years, this program is dedicated to young people of any nationality enrolled in an institution adhering to the Erasmus Mundus charter.
Since 2014, Erasmus has evolved into Erasmus + , a study or internship mobility program open to second-year students and apprentices. The list of establishments is no longer limited to universities; you can go on Erasmus +, for a 12 to 24-month training course, within:
- from a business school,
- from an engineering school,
- of a political institute,
- from an agricultural institute,
- from an art school,
- from a music conservatory,
- from a high school for a BTS course,
- public and private higher education institutions.
The list of partner countries of the Erasmus Plus program is extensive, including European countries, countries neighboring Europe, the American, Asian, African, Caribbean and Pacific continents.
Study in the USA and Canada with the MICEFA program
The Interuniversity Coordination Mission for Franco-American Exchanges (MICEFA) has existed since 1985. The program's objective is academic exchange between 17 universities in Paris and the Île-de-France region and 80 partner universities in North America and Canada. As with the Erasmus program, students do not pay the host university's registration fees. The exchange lasts for a semester or even an academic year.
Go study in Quebec with the PQEE program
Formerly known as PRECUQ, the PQEE program (Quebec Student Exchange Program) allows students on mobility to integrate one of the nine Quebec partner universities for a period of one term to one year.
Program participants must have completed a year of study at a university in their home country affiliated with the PQEE program and demonstrate a good level of English, validated by a TOEFL or TOFIC. Tuition fees at the University of Quebec are covered by the PQEE.
Go on a study trip to Scotland with the SAAS program
Managed by the Scottish organization, the SAAS (Student Award Agency for Scotland) program promotes academic mobility in Scottish higher education institutions. Admission is based on the award of a SAAS scholarship covering tuition fees at the Scottish university.
To obtain it, the student must have a good level of English and commit to a full-time course of study for at least one year. The scholarship is maintained if you obtain your degree during this year abroad; otherwise, it is withdrawn.
Study abroad with the ISEP program
The principle of ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs) is a student exchange : you take the place of a foreign student , they take yours at your French university. A second ISEP study abroad program is possible without a student exchange.
The program participant must study abroad for one semester up to two years.
ISEP has a partnership with 300 universities from around fifty countries including North and Latin America, Oceania, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Any student who has successfully completed their undergraduate studies can apply if their home institution is included in the ISEP program. Students are required to take a TOEFL English-language test to validate their language proficiency. The program does not award mobility grants, but tuition fees remain affordable.
Please note that no diploma is issued at the end of your study stay; you will receive credits to be validated by your university upon your return to your country.
Going abroad after high school: advantages and disadvantages
Studying abroad is a step in your life that you need to prepare for in advance, taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages.
The benefits of studying abroad.
1 - Improve the learning of a foreign language.
Going abroad means studying and living in a country whose language is different from your native language. Therefore, if you already have some knowledge of that foreign language, immersion in the country allows you to perfect your skills.
2 - Become independent.
Studying abroad separates you from your family and friends, and you lose your bearings. It's a rewarding experience that forces you to step out of your comfort zone and gain independence, confidence, and maturity.
3 - Discover another culture and meet new people .
Studying abroad immerses you in a new culture and offers the opportunity to meet new people from different backgrounds. You build an international friendship network and cultivate an open mind.
4 - Benefit from superior quality teaching.
By deciding to study abroad, you're choosing to study at an institution distinguished by the quality of its teaching. This way, you'll receive the best university curriculum in your field.
5 - A positive asset on your CV.
Mentioning your studies abroad on your resume shows your future employer that you are responsible, independent, open to other cultures, and bilingual. These are remarkable assets that will set you apart from other candidates.
The disadvantages of studying abroad.
1 - The costs of expatriation.
Although most of the time you get a scholarship for school fees, you need to factor in accommodation and living expenses into your budget.
2 - Family estrangement.
You may experience home sickness, but also nostalgia for the comfort of your family. Living in a new country is a source of wonder, yet you may also experience periods of depression as you adjust to your new life.
3 - Risk of cultural and linguistic maladjustment.
Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to learn a language. However, studying in a foreign language isn't always easy. If, unfortunately, you're unable to integrate into the cultural life of your new country and encounter a language barrier, you'll return home prematurely. This attempt at studying abroad will have wasted your time and money.
A moment of questioning for many students, the choice of higher education abroad presents, as we have seen, numerous advantages but also disadvantages that must be considered before deciding to leave everything to follow a course of study outside France.
