When I boarded my flight from Romania to Clermont-Ferrand for my Erasmus year, I thought I knew what to expect.

I’d heard stories from friends who studied abroad in Spain or Italy: long nights dancing, easy classes, cheap rent, and sunshine.

France was different.

My Erasmus year was full of highs and lows, long nights spent on architecture projects, cultural shocks I wasn’t ready for, and unexpected joys that still shape how I see this country today.

Looking back, it wasn’t the “easy ride” I thought Erasmus would be, but it was absolutely worth it.

If you’re considering studying in France, here’s the real picture of what student life is like — from language struggles to housing nightmares, from state benefits (yes, even for foreigners!) to those unforgettable travel moments.

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The Language Barrier: My First Reality Check

I came to France with almost no French. I thought people would understand how hard it is to learn. Wrong.

French people truly expect you to speak French — not just in school, but in daily life. For them, it’s unimaginable to move here without already speaking the language. I’ll never forget the shock of realizing that even basic things like opening a bank account, asking for directions, or buying groceries could become obstacles.

Coming from Transylvania, where Hungarians and Romanians have lived side by side for generations — often without speaking each other’s language — this was a big cultural difference. Back home, tolerance is the norm. In France, speaking French is your ticket to acceptance.

Concrete example: On my first week, I had to present a project. I memorized my entire presentation in French, word for word, because I didn’t yet have the vocabulary to improvise. My professor expected the same level of quality as from my French classmates. No excuses.

Tip: Don’t wait until you arrive. Even a summer of private lessons back home will make a huge difference.

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Education: Affordable but Not Equal

One of the biggest advantages of studying in France is the cost of education. Public universities are heavily subsidized by the state.

• My architecture studies were practically free.
  
• My husband, on the other hand, did a marketing degree in a private school — and had to take out a €20,000 loan.
  

So while public education is a bargain, private schools can be just as expensive as in the UK or US.

Unexpected bonus: Students also get heavy discounts across French life:

• Transport passes at half price.
  
• Museum entries for just a few euros or free.
  
• Reduced cinema tickets.
  
• Even discounts on food at CROUS cafeterias (a meal for around €3–4).
  

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Housing: The First Big Challenge

Finding housing as a student in France can feel like trying to win the lottery. Most landlords want a French guarantor (someone legally responsible for your rent if you don’t pay). As a foreigner, you often don’t have that.

When I arrived, it felt impossible to find an apartment. That’s why student residences like CROUS or private résidences étudiantes are lifesavers. They don’t always require a guarantor, and the process is simplified.

Example: I applied for CROUS right away and still barely made the cut. Demand is sky-high. If you’re considering France, apply as early as possible.

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CAF: The Aid Nobody Tells You About

If you’re a student in France, remember these three letters: CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales). It’s housing aid, and yes, even Erasmus students can apply.

• My rent dropped significantly thanks to CAF.
  
• BUT: payments only start from the day you apply — never retroactively.

Concrete example: My monthly rent dropped thanks to CAF, but only from the date I applied. They never back-pay. I learned this the hard way. By waiting too long to submit my documents, I lost out on months of aid.

Step-by-step:

1. Sign your housing contract.
   
2. Open a French bank account.
   
3. Gather documents (passport, visa, lease, student card).
   
4. Apply online immediately.
   

This can easily save you €100–200 a month, depending on your rent.

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Healthcare: Even Students Are Covered

Another unexpected pro: healthcare. France extends its social health insurance even to foreign students. That means doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and even emergencies are affordable compared to most other countries.

Credible note: You’ll still need to register in the system and sometimes wait for reimbursements, but overall, you’ll be protected.

Many students also get additional coverage through cheap student mutuelles. I didn’t do that.

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The Academic Reality: Harder Than Expected

Here’s where studying in France diverges from Erasmus clichés. In Spain or Italy, many students talk about easy grades and professors who go light on foreigners.

In France, that’s not the case.

Professors hold you to the same standard as locals. For me, that meant:

• Pulling all-nighters to finish architecture projects.
  
• Spending weekends preparing presentations word-for-word in French.
  
• Getting graded as harshly as my native classmates.
• Group projects don’t excuse weaker French skills.
  
• Grading can be tough. They grade from 1 to 20, with 20 benign the highest grade. That being said, you wll never a get a 20! You might get an 18 or a 19, but you might also get accused of sleeping with the teacher! A 14 is great!
  

Emotional moment: I remember crying after my first project critique — not because I failed, but because I realized how much work it would take to just keep up.

But by the end of the year, I had not only improved my French but also built a resilience that carried me into my working life.

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Student Budget: Breaking Down the Costs

Here’s a realistic look at what I (and my friends) spent as students in France:

• Rent: €250–500/month in CROUS or student housing (double that in Paris) or collocation (shared apartments)
  
• Food: €30–40/week if you cook, €3–4 per meal at CROUS cafeterias.
  
• Transport: €20–30/month with a student pass.
  
• Books & materials: Architecture was expensive (models, printing), but other fields are cheaper. Many textbooks are subsidized.
  
• Nightlife & extras: Drinks are pricier than in Spain, but students often gather in dorms before heading out to save money.
  

Concrete comparison: In total, I spent less than €1000/month in Clermont-Ferrand. In Paris, friends spent nearly double.

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Tourism on a Budget

Of course, you don’t come to France just to study. Travel is part of the student dream.

France makes this possible — but don’t expect Erasmus-Spain prices.

• Trains are fast but not cheap (unless you book with discounts well in advance or if you pay a student yearly pass).
  
• Low-cost buses like FlixBus are the student go-to (you can find prices starting at €5)
  
• Student passes often include regional discounts.
• Flights: Low-cost airlines (EasyJet, Ryanair or Wizzair) connect France to Europe.

Example: During my Erasmus, I traveled to Lyon, Paris, and Montpellier — but only after weeks of budgeting, saving on food, and planning carefully.

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Cultural Shock: France vs. Home

Perhaps the biggest emotional challenge was cultural. In Romania, we’re used to mixing languages and communities, to being tolerant of difference. In France, integration often feels tied to assimilation. You need to “become French” — or at least try hard.

But there are also joys:

• Food education: Students eat better here, with markets, boulangeries, and an obsession with fresh ingredients.
  
• Cultural life: Even small towns have theaters, museums, and cinemas.
  
• Daily rhythm: Life revolves around long meals, coffee breaks, and conversation.
  

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The Pros and Cons of Student Life in France

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Conclusion: Should You Study in France?

France is not the easiest place to be an Erasmus student. You’ll face bureaucracy, strict professors, and the weight of learning French fast. But if you stick it out, you’ll gain resilience, cultural depth, and access to experiences few other Erasmus destinations can match.

For me, the struggles of my student year became the foundation for my life in France. It wasn’t easy — but it was unforgettable.

A bientôt, Ersilia