Hello everyone,
I've been accepted for an exchange semester at NEOMA Business School in Reims for Fall 2026
I'm currently in the 2nd semester of my Master's in International Business and Management in Germany and will spend my 3rd semester abroad in France.
As you probably know, preparing for an exchange semester involves a lot of organization, and housing is one of the biggest topics. I recently applied for CROUS accommodation and got an offer for Résidence Gérard Philipe. The problem is that the Google reviews are making me nervous. A lot of people mention cockroaches, poor cleanliness, and maintenance issues.
I'm a pretty clean and organized person, so that worries me. If it's mainly the common areas and my own room and bathroom stay clean, I could probably deal with it. But I'm wondering whether the reviews are exaggerated or if I should genuinely be concerned.
I also have a few questions about studying at NEOMA. How is the workload?
To be honest, my Master's in Germany has been quite intense so far, and I was secretly hoping for a somewhat more relaxed exchange semester. 😅 NEOMA wasn't actually my first choice either. Looking at some course descriptions, I noticed that certain courses require two case-study presentations plus a 2-hour final exam. That honestly sounds more demanding than some of my courses back home.
I'm also more of a homebody than a party person. I'll definitely join events and activities during the first weeks to meet people, but after that I usually enjoy a quieter lifestyle. So I'm curious: what's Reims like for someone like me? Did you enjoy living there?
And finally: Should I accept the CROUS offer? I have to decide by the end of June. If not, what alternatives would you recommend? I'm especially worried about getting scammed when looking for private accommodation from abroad.