Université Robert Schuman (Strasbourg III)

The university system at French grandes écoles is very rigid. I'd say it's an interesting experience for a year, and you definitely get to learn a lot of facts. However, French students at this stage of their university studies are not encouraged to discuss issues and problems, but to learn a lot of facts by heart. Coming from an university system which is opposite, I had problems adapting first - even though I am half french!

Encourage french students to study a year abroad, so that some of them become more open-minded and loose a bit of their elitist attitude at Sciences Po. But I have to say all of my French friends are very open-minded!

If you stay for an year, apply for the Certificate of European and International law studies

They should find the way to avoid fixing 4 exams in 2 days!!!!

less students in a room

An exam at the beginning of the study: more chances to success at the end.

More intensive tutoring for foreign students

More info about courses and how to write french essays before we began ideally, but we were the first year to go to Strasbourg.

Weekly discussion groups might be an idea - to get everyone involved and interacting, and would help with understanding and generation of ideas.

if you only stay half a year, it is hard to find interesting courses. The courses provide no textbook, you should take notes and learn to do that quickly by using abreviations.

Your french must be really good, because the exams are oral.