Profile Page – Université Paris Dauphine

“At Carleton, the exchange office was always incredibly helpful in preparing me for the semester abroad and answering any questions I had. While I was in Paris, the university’s international office was also very supportive and responsive, helping with everything from course selection to adjusting to life in a new country. The university had an active Erasmus group, as well as a broader Erasmus Paris network that brought together exchange students from all over the city. They organized bi-weekly events ranging from club nights and pub meetups to boat parties and daytime activities like picnics and city tours.” – Winter 2025, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

“Wellness resources were available, as well as academic guidance. The exchange social life is very well-connected. You will not have trouble making friends.” – Fall 2022, Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management

“My experience finding courses at my host university was overall positive, but I would recommend acting quickly, once course selections are released, register as soon as possible because spots fill up fast. One of my biggest tips for future students is to take advantage of courses that aren’t typically offered at Carleton (provided the credits will transfer of course). At Dauphine, for example, there were so many unique classes focused on French art, culture, and society, which felt especially meaningful to learn about while living in Paris. Professors tend to grade more strictly than at Carleton. While the teaching style and overall class structure were fairly similar, attendance policies were much stricter.” – Winter 2025, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

“I lived in CROUS housing, which is government-subsidized student accommodation that you apply for through your host university, they’ll send you the necessary info as part of the exchange process. I didn’t have to search for housing on my own, which made things a lot less stressful. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to future students. I made some of my best friends through the residence, even though we weren’t in the same classes. It was especially helpful during the first few weeks to have people to navigate the metro and go to school with. For future students, I highly recommend applying for CROUS housing as soon as the application opens, spots can be limited, and it’s a great, affordable option that makes settling into a new city much easier.” – Winter 2025, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

“I lived with one other housemate in La Defence. I was super happy with my decision.” – Fall 2022, Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management

“For banking, I used Wise, which worked really well. It’s an online banking platform that acts as a prepaid debit card, you can easily transfer money from your Canadian account to your Wise account and use it in euros without foreign transaction fees. It also provides you with local European banking details, which is super helpful if anyone needs a French or EU account number for payments. Some of my friends used Revolut, which is similar and also a great option. For my phone, I went with a physical prepaid SIM card, which I bought at a tabac shop. It was really easy to set up, and I reloaded it monthly through an app for about 5 euros a month. It gave me a local French number, which was useful for things like delivery apps or metro subscriptions. While some of my friends used e-SIMs, they had to figure out how to include a French number, so I personally preferred the physical SIM route.” – Winter 2025, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

“I used FREE mobile, you can set up an E-sim but you need an address. Use BNP Paribas if you are going to Universite Paris Dauphine, they have an agreement with them and they are the preferred bank for the students.” – Fall 2022, Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management

“One of my biggest travel tips is to book your trips well in advance, prices go up the closer you get to your travel date, especially for popular destinations. Also, don’t assume trains are always the cheapest option; surprisingly, flying is often more affordable and faster for longer distances. Some of my favorite winter destinations were Budapest (my absolute favorite— loved everything about it), Prague, Vienna, Krakow, Bruges, and Edinburgh. For summer, I highly recommend Croatia—especially Hvar and Split—it was my favorite beach destination. Other amazing spots include Sardinia in Italy, Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza, and anywhere in Greece. In addition to traveling around Europe, I highly recommend taking time to explore France itself—it’s (in my opinion) the most beautiful country in the world. Each region offers something unique, from the dramatic coastlines of North Brittany and Normandy, to the breathtaking Alps in the Rhône region. The Loire Valley is full of fairytale-like châteaux, while Provence bursts with color in the summer thanks to its famous lavender fields. And of course, the South of France, especially Cannes and Nice, is perfect for stunning beaches and a laid-back Mediterranean vibe. There’s so much variety within the country, and being based in Paris makes it really easy to take weekend trips and experience it all.” – Winter 2025, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice