'Global Context': HSE University-St Petersburg Student on Academic Mobility Peculiarities and Studies in France
Alena Chistyakova, 4th-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Sociology and Social Informatics', spent a semester at the Rennes School of Business on the academic mobility programme. Read on to find out what the exams in France are like, why sociologists have to understand business strategies and what the studies abroad give you.
Right Moment
— From the very first year, I knew that international experience was valuable capital for career development: employers appreciate language skills and candidates' flexibility. I doubted whether I should have taken part in the selection for the mobility programme in my fourth year, as I had a lot to do before graduation: the thesis and preparation for admission to a master's programme. But later, I realised that the last year gave more opportunities for course choices both at HSE and the partner university.
When selecting, the commission considered academic performance, extracurricular achievements and motivation. The contest was hard, but I think my high average score helped. Studying at the Rennes School of Business is an unusual step for a student of my concentration. As a rule, it is a destination for future economists and entrepreneurs. I am planning to apply for a master's programme in management and marketing, so the mobility programme was a perfect test drive for the new specialisation.
Business from a Sociologist's Perspective
— At the business school, we had no lectures, only seminars. I can't say that professors didn't provide us with any theory, but it was naturally integrated in the interactive format, group tasks and debates. The entire curriculum was English-taught.
Professors of the Rennes School of Business are very open; many of them work in the industry, so they can share recent cases from their practice. It was obvious that each of them was passionate about their work, and I genuinely liked this atmosphere.
The university paid a lot of attention to attendance. Skipping classes could negatively impact the final grade for the course. But I was happy to attend all of them.
I studied strategies of digital marketing, conducting international negotiations, and managing human capital in global companies. These are key subjects of the course. In addition, I chose elective courses about the French language and culture.
I especially liked classes on personnel management. I realised that this sphere was more than just a selection of employees. We learned about the French culture from a famous Rennes writer, Arsene Lancien. He told us in detail about the history of the country and the region of Brittany and took us to the local museum.
Final exams reminded me of the Russian National Exams: no computers or phones, just an answer sheet and a pen. Moreover, in the classroom, there were no professors, just invigilators. We could wait for the grade for up to two months because all the works were anonymized for the maximum transparency.
The assessment system is different from the one at HSE—the curriculum progress is calculated in per cent, and then it is converted into grades on the European scale. The formula is almost the same in many courses: the exam took up to 70%, and the rest was given to individual work and a group project. It is nearly impossible to get the highest score. But I got an equivalent of the ten in all the courses.
Palm Trees and Medieval Castles
— Rennes is a small town, just two hours away from Paris. The main university building is minimalistic: glass-fronted classrooms stretch up through several floors, and under the dome, there is a garden with palm trees in the middle. On the campus, there is everything you need: four academic buildings, a library, lounge zones, a gym and sports grounds.
The Rennes School of Business is a multinational university. Professors and students come from different countries: Mexico, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Indonesia, the USA, Poland and South Korea. So, the adaptation went smoothly: no one required a high French proficiency, and all the classes were in English.
The most vivid event of my extracurricular life was the International Day. The students presented the traditions of their homelands and showed some creative performances. At the very beginning of the semester, they organised an adventure game around Rennes. In general, the group of active students constantly organised various team-building events.
I lived in a dormitory in a single room. I shared the kitchen and bathroom with three other students. The campus was 15 minutes away by bus, but I often walked there.
Products in stores are not expensive. In the town, there are a lot of coffee shops, libraries and cinemas. I liked roaming about the historical streets and the embankment. One of my favourite rituals is a visit to the Saturday market at the Lices Square, where you can eat fresh crepes and galettes, buy farmers' fruit and vegetables, and seafood.
Over the mobility period, I travelled all over Brittany, saw the island-fortress Mont-Saint-Michel, visited Paris and the south of Italy, and after the studies, together with my friends, we went on a Christmas trip around Europe. We visited Strasbourg, Stuttgart and Munich.
How to Avoid Getting Lost in France
— I recommend everyone who is planning to go on a mobility programme to France to download the transport application 'SNCF Connect'. It is convenient to search and book tickets on it. Besides, you can buy a discount card for the French railway—you can save up to 30% on tickets.
Another useful piece of advice: France provides compensation for rental housing if it is accredited for the payment. To get it, one has to apply to the social assistance fund. I got a refund of 140 euros. At the university, there is a service 'Aloha', where you can address any questions, including requests for help with document submission.
It is better to talk in advance to the current university students or those who went there on a mobility programme. This is the way to immerse yourself faster in university life and understand the cultural peculiarities of the host country.
Mobility as a Growing Point
— Thanks to the mobility, I became more confident, developed the skills of international communication, and learned how marketing strategies worked. In the future, I am planning to immerse myself in the sphere of international management and marketing. HSE University-St Petersburg gave me a good knowledge base in sociology and project work, and the Rennes School of Business enhanced my skills in the global context.
My advice to everyone who is learning foreign languages is to speak at every opportunity. In a new environment, you manage to study much faster. Do not worry about your language proficiency–all students are in the same situation; don't think that someone knows English better than you. I am happy to share my experience with other students. I want more HSE students to experience these emotions!
HSE University-St Petersburg students can choose from 50 partner universities in 20 countries—from Armenia to Mexico. Find out more information via the link.
