I had the opportunity to spend the last semester of my Master‘s program in La Rochelle – a charming city on the French west coast which has truly conquered my heart!

Situated right on the Atlantic Ocean, La Rochelle exudes a maritime flair throughout the city. Its historic port (Le Viuex Port) is well-preserved and seen from the ocean, the famous three towers guard an iconic entrance to the city. Surrounded by boats of all sizes, you can sit anytime in one the of lively cafes, bars or (seafood) restaurants on the seafront. The other big port “Les Minimes”, just a 15-minute boat or bus ride from the city centre, is the largest marina in France for pleasure boats. The sight of its 3500 boats is nothing short of impressive.

Entering the old town of La Rochelle through the beautiful large clock tower, you'll find yourself in a maze of charming, authentically French white buildings and arcaded streets. There are many delightful boutiques and shops where you can easily lose track of time. There regularly is a market in and around the market hall where all kinds of seafood and other typical French food and ingredients can be enjoyed.

La Rochelle is a city of roughly 80.000 inhabitants and boasts a vibrant student life with many opportunities, so that it never gets boring. There are many students around – French students as well as internationals from all over the world. The local Erasmus organization (ESN La Rochelle) offers a wide variety of activities, trips and parties to meet new people and to create a network of students. In summer, La Rochelle is a popular destination for tourists, especially for French tourists, due to its mild climate and the proximity to the Île de Ré, a beautiful island just in front of the city. La Rochelle has two beaches – one is close to the city centre and one is close to the big Minimes harbour. Since La Rochelle is located on the west coast of France, the sunsets are amazing to watch.

La Rochelle is home to two universities: the public university of La Rochelle and the private Business School Excelia, where I studied. For an Erasmus student like myself, the organization before and during the exchange was straightforward and smooth. The communication with the International Office of Excelia was unproblematic with quick and helpful responses from the staff. I was enrolled in the Master of Science in “Brand Management” where all courses were taught in English. The program offers interesting perspectives to the topic and enhances an international perspective on it due to many international students and professors. The classes are very small and private and involved many projects and group presentations. The schedule varied weekly, which provided a dynamic and engaging learning experience.

Regarding accommodation, it is possible to either stay in one of the student dorms which are close to the universities, to rent an accommodation privately or to book via the university’s platform Studapart. I was staying in a shared flat in the city centre, which for me was the perfect option, since the city centre, the beautiful harbour and everything I needed was close by. The connection to Excelia by bus was quick and easy.

Looking back to my semester in La Rochelle, I can say that I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to have this experience and I am happy that I took this chance. I have met wonderful people from all over the world, immersed myself into and got to love the French culture (and cuisine), improved my English and French, gained new perspectives on organizational communication and had the chance to travel and explore France. I will definitely return to La Rochelle, and I will keep this semester abroad as an unforgettable, positive chapter in my memories!

Text and photos: Carolin Dickmann

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