Studying Abroad in Angers, France
A Student's Perspective

This perspective will provide you with valuable information gathered by past participants of the Angers, France program.
Please realize that every semester is different from those before it and that all information may not be the same. This information
was gathered by the participants of the 1998 spring semester. If there are major alterations that you feel need to be made upon
your return feel free to make them by telling OISP that you have some information that you would like to add to this
perspective.

GETTING READY

1. Get your passport as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute to get your passport can be dangerous because there is
not a set time limit on how long the government has to issue you a passport. If you feel that you will not receive your passport in
time because you have applied too late there is a rush service but there are additional fees and nothing is guaranteed.

2. You will need a three-month visa from the French consulate for the program. Getting your visa can be accomplished in two
ways. The first method is to mail your application and all other requirements to the French consulate in Chicago. The second
method, which is also the fastest, is to take your materials to the French consulate in Chicago. The consulate is located in the
Nieman Marcus building on Michigan Ave. If you go to the consulate directly you can avoid having to send your passport in the
mail and you will receive your visa while you wait.

3. Make sure that you purchase your airline ticket well in advance. The further ahead it is purchased the lower the airfare will
be. A good option to explore for cheap airfare is a consolidator. Travel agents can contact these people and often obtain much
lower airfares than normal. 

4. Buy a Rail pass for traveling within Europe. During your semester there will be numerous chances for you to travel
throughout Europe. The Rail passes are the cheapest way to do this. These are especially handy during the long semester
breaks. During the spring semester there is a 2 1/2-week break. Since we were not there during the fall semester we are not
sure of the length of their break, but these breaks are the perfect time to see what you can of Europe. Students have arranged
trips to Italy and Greece, Austria and Germany, or Denmark and Sweden. Remember these passes are only sold in the US so
you must purchase them before you leave. Don't rely on your parents to send your pass to you after you have left because you
may not get it in time. 

5. Make sure that you have enough money. France is more expensive than you think. You will spend more than you
budget so make allowances for this. 

6. Bring at least $100 in francs when you arrive to pay for the bus ride to Gare Montparnasse from the airport as well as any
other expenses that you may have before you can exchange your money at the bank. [You can now get the train for Angers at Charles De Gaulle airport]

7. Credit cards are great for cash emergencies. VISA is accepted nearly everywhere. Master Card is widely accepted while
American Express is rarely accepted. Make sure you know your pin number for cash advances.

8. Check with your bank and make sure that your ATM and credit cards will work in international ATM machines. Bring
enough money in traveler's checks and cash to get you through the first few weeks in case there are any unforeseen problems. 

9. Bring 4 passport-sized photos with you. Two will be backup photos in case you happen to lose your passport. The other
two will be used for things such as your bus pass if you buy one. Don't forget these because they are expensive in France. 

10. Learn European geography. The European students are offended by a lack of knowledge about the geography of the
European countries. Make sure that you know American geography and current events as well.

11. Make photocopies of every document. Leave one copy with your parents and take another copy with you in case your
original documents are stolen. This includes your passport, visa, insurance claim forms, credit and ATM cards, traveler's
checks, plane tickets, eyeglass and/or contact prescriptions, and Rail passes and pass protection.

PACKING

Spending and living money 
Batteries and film They are expensive in France. The average number of rolls of film used was around 20 
Extra prescription glasses/contact lenses 
Prescription medications 
Name Brand medicines such as Tylenol, Motrin, Nyquil (Remember, medicines cannot be mailed overseas, it is illegal!) 
Clothes 
Rain coat, umbrella 
Shoes (Don't bring too many pairs, they are heavy, and, take our word for it, you won't want to carry them.You will
need a good pair of walking shoes though. 
Guide Book. Recommended are Let's Go, Lonely Planet, and Michelin 
1 Set of towels 
Bookbag 
Toiletries 
Camera 
Dictionary: A regular sized and a pocket sized French/English dictionaries are advised 
Address book and phone numbers 
Converter. It is easier to purchase the electrical items that you need there because the converters do not always work
very well. 
Phone card 
International Student Identification Card (you get these through OISP) 
Hostel card (very useful if you plan to travel) 

Airlines allow two suitcases not weighing over 35 kilos (approx. 75 pounds) and two carry-ons. Remember that you will have
to carry your bags for long periods of time. You will purchase items while you are in France and they will add to the weight of
you bags as well as use up space.

Expenses

Transportation

Walking is the most common form of transportation. However, your host family may live too far away from the university for
you to walk and you must take the bus. A single bus ticket costs 6F50. You can also purchase a monthly student's pass for
150F. The monthly passes can be purchased at the COTRA office next to the Jardin du Mail. The busses run until 8pm with
the exception of a few lines that run until midnight. There are only a few lines that run on Sundays and Holidays (jour fériés) and
they have reduced hours. It will be easiest for you if you pick up a schedule when you go to the Cotra office and get your bus
tickets/passes. Always make sure to validate your ticket in the orange machines because there are inspectors that will board
random busses from time to time that will check for people trying to ride the bus for free. If you are caught without a ticket or
with an invalidated ticket you will be fined 150F!

Mail

Mail is more expensive in France. Letters to the United States that weight up to 20 ounces cost 4F40. Letters weighing up to
40 ounces cost 9 francs. International stamps are bought at the post office from either the teller or at the machine on the wall.
Be sure to mark the letters Par Avion/Air Mail and put a prioritaire sticker found next to the wall machines on them. 

Mailing packages home is expensive as well. The cheapest way to mail packages is to mail them economy class. You can mail
your packages at the post office or a Mailboxes Etc. There is also a special rate for students who are mailing books and papers
home. Only mail home what you must. The post office is the cheapest way to mail a package, but this is still very expensive.
Also, do not expect to be able to mail home wine or any other liquor. It is illegal.

Going Out

Cafes and restaurants are expensive but well worth the cost. Be aware of some differences in prices though. There is an
increase in drink prices after 10 p.m. Prices are also higher if you sit outside as opposed to inside. Some popular cafes are Le
Sporting, Variétés, Dupon, Trois Brassières, and Guinness. Some good restaurants are Matt Murphy's and Da Vinci for Irish
and Italian food. Nearly all the French restaurants are good though a bit pricy. To avoid the high prices, try the menu. The
selection is generally good and you can have a full meal for a bargain. One French restaurant you way want to try is la Ferme. It
has good French food and isn't very expensive. It is located right next to the cathedral.

Discotheques are expensive and out of town. There are organized trips to the various clubs throughout the semester. These are
publicized around CIDEF, which sponsor rides to the clubs and a special admissions price. A popular boite (discotheque) is
the Octopussy. Look around the Catho for other boites de nuit. A ticket to the boite is usually around 40F. This pays for your
entrance and one drink.

Travel

This includes food, lodging, and transportation. The cheapest transportation is with a Rail pass. The Let's Go guidebook lists
good restaurants and lodging for low prices. The cheapest lodging is at hostels and pensions. Don't forget about paying for
admissions prices and souvenirs. Bring your international student ID card for discounts. You can receive 25% off train tickets
that you don't use your Rail pass for by showing the ticket issuer your student id.

Also for 250F you can purchase a student discount card. At the train station, they have a calendar. Heavy travel days are white
days. The rest of the year is blue days. On blue days you receive 50% off a regular ticket, on white days the discount is 25%.
The card is good for one year.

Extras

Film: Develop your film when you come home. It is much cheaper and the quality is better. It also serves as a fun way to
remember your trip all over again after you have returned.

Laundry: Doing your laundry is very expensive. One load costs 20F to wash and 2F for every 5 minutes in the dryer. You can
buy laundry detergent at the laundromat though it is cheaper to buy detergent at the grocery store.

Groceries: The cheapest groceries are found at the supermarkets. Some grocery stores are Géant and Carrefour.

Books

You must buy your books are the secretariat on the fifth floor. They are much cheaper in France than at ISU. Plan to spend
250F-300F for this expense.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Your host family could take on any shape or size. Your host may consist of a divorcee, widow, a family with small or grown
children, or an older couple to name a few types of hosts. The level of involvement with your hosts will vary as well. Some
hosts will include you in their family from time to time whereas others will not want any involvement. Don't go into the situation
thinking that you experience with your hosts will be an all-inclusive one. Follow their rules and respect their wishes. Remember
that you are a guest in their house. 

Some families will cook meals for you if you pay them. The general price is 30F per meal. They will tell you if this alternative is
possible, don't ask them to do it for you. Another alternative, the best for vegetarians and vegans, is to ask if you can pay for
the use of their kitchen. Most have paid 150F per month for this privilege. You will do your laundry at the laundromat. Some
hosts may place restrictions on the number or length of shower time you can use. Be prepared and respectful of their wishes
and everything will go well. If you have problems talk with M. Melin about what to do.

CIDEF

The school you will attend is called Centre Internationale D'Etudes Francaises. It is a part of the Université Catholique de
l'Ouest. CIDEF is solely for the international students. There are approximately 400 students from 45 different countries. The
majority of the students are from the United States, Sweden, and Japan. English is spoken by nearly all students but remember
that you are there to improve your French skills, not your English skills. 

Classes

Teachers at CIDEF are more personal than those at ISU. They are very approachable. If you have a question or a problem
ask them. They do demand respect and expect their students to work hard and study outside of class.

There are very few grades taken in class. Two or three tests and your class participation determine your grade. Do not miss an
exam! You cannot make them up later. Langue classes will have multiple grades taken but each is important. If you have to
miss class because you are sick, call the secretariat. Your grade will be lowered with each unexcused absence.

Be careful to keep studying for your classes. The American students are the only students whose grades count at their home
university. It is very easy to let everything slide while everyone around you is going out.

The classes at CIDEF are divided into levels and you will be placed into a level based upon your abilities. A written placement
test will be given your first week which will determine your level. If you think that your class is too easy or too hard give the
class a week or so before you decide whether you need to change levels.

The most confusing part of the classes is the grading scale. The grades are determined on a scale of 1-20. A score of 20 is
impossible because the French believe that a 20 is reserved for God alone. Generally the grades translate over on the following
scale:

A= 14-16
B= 12-13
C= 10-11
D= 8-9
F= 7 and under

ENTERTAINMENT

The graduate students put together weekly programs to introduce the CIDEF students to French culture though music, dance,
and movies. The movies are from different time periods and have a broad range of subjects. The music programs include a
group sing along with the students teaching various folk songs. There are also programs that focus on certain areas of France
such as Bretagne.

There are three excursions that are paid for in advance out of your tuition. There are two that go to different chateaux and
another to St. Malo and Mont St. Michel. The châteaux featured are Langeais, Chambord, Blois, Chenenceau, Azay le Rideau,
Amboise, and Cheverny, You are able to get a feeling for the region that you are staying in from these excursions. The trip to
St. Malo and Mont St. Michel allows for you to see a different part of France and see the contrast between the two areas. 

International choir and theater classes are offered to students who wish to participate. The international choir performs at
various functions throughout the year including the end of the year CIDEF soiree. The theater class performs skits for various
functions as well. There will be announcements made at the beginning of the semester on how to sign up for these extra
curricular activities.

There is a welcoming program called famille d'accueil which pairs CIDEF students with French families who would like to meet
international students but do not host a student in their homes. The students meet with the families for dinners and other
activities throughout the semester. If you would like to sign up for this program go to the secretariat on the fifth floor and ask for
a sign up form. Fill out the form and return it with 20F. You will then be paired up with a family. The sooner you do this the
better your chances will be of getting a family quickly.

Outside of the university Lac de Maine provides a place to relax and have some fun. It can be reached by taking bus number
six from downtown in the direction of Lac de Maine. You can go windsurfing, swim, sail, and picnic there throughout the year,
weather permitting. Lac de Maine is a fun place to go during the day but beware at night.

Downtown is a fun place to go shopping. There are many pedestrian streets such as Rue St. Aubin to go shopping and people
watching on. Some popular stores are Habitat and Etam. There are also department stores such as Galleries Lafayette at Place
du Ralliment. Espace Anjou is a mall that can be reached by taking bus number 15 in the direction of Espace Anjou from the
central bus stop outside the COTRA office. There is also a shopping area called Les Halles that is located near the cathedral.

There are many movie theaters in downtown Angers on Boulevard Foch. These theaters show movies in French though many
are dubbed versions of American films. Seeing a film in French is a great way to practice your French while having fun at the
same time. Movies cost up to 48 francs per show and the prices vary with the popularity of the movie. There are special
student rates but they do not apply all the time and a student ID card is required for the special price. If you have a yearning to
hear some good old English there is a theater that shows movies in their original form. These movies are run in version originale
(VO) and are shown at 400 coups located near Place du Ralliment. There is also a Cine Club run by French students at the
Catho. They show two French movies every week and the best part is that it is free.

SIGHTSEEING

There are many sights to see around Angers. The best place to start is at the Maison du Tourisme that is located across the
street from the Maison du Vin and the chateau. The people there can give you maps of the city, pamphlets on tours both guided
and unguided, information on concerts, and any other goings on in Angers. They can tell you what the best things to see in
Angers and the areas surrounding Angers.

The main tourist attractions in Angers are the chateau and the cathedral. The chateau is the oldest of the Chateaux of the Loire
Valley dating back to the 13th century. Inside the chateau is the world's oldest and most intact tapestry that dates to the 14th
century. The tapestry tells the story of the Apocalypse. There are guided one-hour tours of the tapestry where the guide
describes each panel in detail. The tours are entirely in French. The cathedral is near the chateau and can be reached by
walking along the river from the chateau. This cathedral has marvelous stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings. Attending a
mass at the cathedral is another way to pick up French. If you are Catholic it can be an interesting experience. The church
members do dress up for mass so don't go dressed in jeans. There are concerts that are sponsored at the cathedral every
month where local musicians perform. 

The Maison du Vin is another great attraction and a must for all French students. At the Maison du Vin you can have a wine
tasting (degustation) and purchase wines that you have tried. All of the wines sold there are manufactured in the Loire Valley. A
bottle of wine from the Loire Valley can be a great souvenir for you or someone else. Remember, though it is legal for you to
purchase and consume alcohol in France if you are under 21, it is not legal in the US. Therefore, you can not bring it back into
the country if you are under age. You are not allowed to mail it in either. If you do bring alcohol back into the United States you
are only allowed to bring in two liters (two bottles) duty free. Any more than two liters will be subject to a 10% duty tax in
customs so be sure to have your receipts. There is also a liquor distillery called Cointreau near Angers that offers tours and
tastings to tourists.

There are a few parks that are of interest. The Jardin du Mail on Boulevard Foch is popular and is a great place to people
watch. The Jardin du Mail pales in comparison, though, to the Jardin des Plantes. The Jardin des Plantes is located at the end
of Boulevard Foch. There are many beautiful flowerbeds and trees in the park as well as a petting zoo for children. This is the
perfect area to people watch and relax on the weekends.

There are many museums in Angers. The Musee David d'Angers is a collection of statues that are placed in a small museum
near the Cafe Dupon. The Musee des Beaux-Arts is near the Restaurant Universitaire. You can walk through the museum in a
short amount of time while enjoying everything in it.

WEEKEND TRIPS

There are many interesting places to see just outside of Angers and other places that are easily seen on the weekend. 

Saumur

This small town is located not far from Angers and can be reached there by bus or by train. In Saumur you can see a chateau,
the mushroom caves and the wine caves. This trip can be done in one day.

Tours

Tours has a chateau. There are also buses here that you can take to get to all of the other popular chateaux in the region, like
Chenonceau and Chambord.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is located on the Atlantic Ocean and is best seen before the weather turns cold. There is an Aquarium as well as
many beaches to relax on.

D-Day Beaches

This trip can be done in a weekend, though it is easier to do it over a long weekend. Bayeux is the home base for the tours of
the D-Day beaches. Hotel de la Gare gives the best tours and is conveniently located next to the train station. It is only about a
ten or fifteen minute walk into town, where there is shopping as well as a cathedral and the infamous Bayeux tapestry. This is an
incredible trip. It is very moving. You've never seen anything else like it. You don't want to miss this piece of American history.

Paris

Paris is only a train ride away. It can be a weekend trip many times over. A key time to go into Paris is the first Sunday of the
month because the Louvre is free. There are so many sights in Paris that numerous trips into the city are recommended.

Amboise

In Amboise there is a beautiful chateau and cathedral. It is most famously known as the resting-place of Leonardo DaVinci.

Nantes

This is right on the ocean. It has great shopping and there is a large student population. There is also an opera house that offers
student discounts on tickets. Nantes also has a very famous Musée de Beaux Arts and so as not to be outdone by the others
villes in the Loire Valley you can be sure to find a magnificent cathedral and chateau.

You will probably have a variety of three-day weekends. (The French love jours fériés= free days, holidays) It is possible to
travel out of the country on these weekends. Some trips you may want to try are Geneva, Switzerland; Amsterdam,
Netherlands; and Brussels, Belgium.

Safety

With traveling comes one very important word, SAFETY. Money belts, you hear about them, you should use them. They can
save your entire trip. Theft is rampant among tourists, especially careless tourists. Keep your belongings with you at all times.
Only bring what you can carry. Enjoy yourself but be aware of your surroundings.

Another thing you should be careful of is night trains. They can be dangerous. It is not recommended that you use them if you
are traveling alone. When traveling in groups of two or more these can save you a lot of time, but be careful. If you are two
females traveling you should see if they have all female compartments. This may save you a very uncomfortable and sleepless
night.

Food

You will receive your food money in the form of three checks that will be given to you at different times during the semesters. In
order to cash your food checks you must open a bank account. It is not possible to take the check to the original bank and
have them cash it. The bank that CIDEF recommends is BNP. When you open your account you will be issued an ATM card
that you can access your food money from. The bank account also comes in handy because that is a fee charged to
non-account holders when changing money and travels checks. To open a bank account you need a letter from your host family
stating that you live with them and a document that sates that they live at their address (an old electric bill will work for this).

There are many good restaurants in Angers as stated before. There are many options for lunch during the school week. The
first of these is the Restaurant Universitaire (RU). The closest restaurant is located about ten minutes from UCO. Meals are
served on the basis of meal tickets that can be bought in sheets of ten for 141F. You receive an entrée, fruit, dessert, bread and
a drink for one ticket. A second alternative is eating a sandwich bought in the foyer at the university. A gentleman brings
different types of sandwiches and other items and sells them for a relatively cheap price. The third option is to eat at one of the
restaurants near UCO or buy a sandwich from one of the patisseries on Rue St. Aubin. Dinner is served at the UCO, but,
depending on your living situation, you may be able to prepare your own meals.

Vegetarians be warned, most restaurants in France do not have meatless dishes. Even the RU serves mostly non-vegetarian
dishes. Salads are usually served with ham. Your best bet is to talk to your host family about using their kitchen.

Communication

Your host family will most likely allow you to receive phone calls at their house but you will not be able to make any. To call
someone you will be required to use a pay phone. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. To make a local call you
must buy a telecarte form either a tabac or the post office. Telecartes are sold in increments of 50 units for 41F and 120 units
for 96F. You can use your telecartes for long distance and international calls as well. To dial the US using a telecarte you must
dial 01 and then dial as you would in the US (1-area code-phone number). The calls will cost you about 7 units per minute for
an international call. There are also phone numbers given by numerous telephone companies to place collect and calling card
phone calls. The number for ATT is 0800990011. Ameritech can be reached at 0800991016. Don't forget when you call
home that you are seven hours ahead of them.

Email is available at the CIDEF.

Mail generally takes a week for letters to reach you from the US. Mailing a letter to the US takes longer.

Useful vocabulary

CIDEF- Centre International d'Etudes Françaises

R.U.- Restaurant Universitaire

La Catho- Nickname for Universite Catholique de l'Ouest

Gare- Train Station

T.G.V- Trains à Grande Vitesse

Le Guichet- Ticket Booth

Composteur- Small orange machine where you must validate your train tickets before boarding.

Une couchette- A compartment on a train with 6 beds in it that can be reserved for an additional fee

Une quai- Train platform

Service Compris- Tip included(It almost always is)

Entrée Libre- You may enter the store without buying anything

Auberge de Jeunesse- Youth hostel

Une boite de nuit- Night club (Boite for short)

V.O. Original version of a film

PCV- Call collect

Télécarte- Calling card; necessary if using a pay phone without a 0800 number

Metric system conversions

1.6 kilometers = 1 mile 
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds 
s = 1 inch 
2.54 degrees Celsius = 32 degrees Fahrenheit 
5 deg Celsius = 41 deg F 
10 deg C= 50 deg F 
15 deg C = 59 deg F etc. 

Final words

Homesickness is normal. Talk with others about your feelings and be sure to have a stuffed animal or something to serve as a
good reminder of home for you. Mail letters and you will get some in return as long as you remember to give everyone your
address. Calling home can sometimes be harder on you than you think so don't call home so much. Keep a diary of your
experiences. It will help with the homesickness as well as serve as a great souvenir of your trip. Have a wonderful time but
remember that your time in Europe is limited so make the most of it.

BON VOYAGE!!!!!