What I wish I knew before Grenoble

I spent a semester at Grenoble Ecole de Management, and it was one of the best things I did at Queen's. It was also, at times, chaotic, confusing and much more paperwork than I'd expected. If you're heading to Grenoble (or still deciding), here are the things I wish someone had told me before I got on the plane.

1. Book your ski pass in week one

This is the advice I give everyone, so it goes first. Chamrousse, the 1968 Olympic alpine venue, is about 30 km from the city, and there are several other resorts within a bus ride. Student and season passes are far cheaper than buying day passes, and early-season deals go fast. I waited and paid more for fewer days. Sort out your pass, rent or buy gear second-hand from other students, and figure out the ski buses early.

2. The paperwork is real, so start before you land

As a Canadian staying more than 90 days, you'll need a long-stay student visa. After arriving, you may have to validate it online with the French government, typically within your first few months. The rules can change, so follow the official France-Visas and Campus France guidance and your partner school's instructions exactly. Keep digital and printed copies of everything: passport, visa, acceptance letter, proof of accommodation, birth certificate and passport photos. French administration loves paper.

3. Open a French bank account early

I thought my Canadian card would be enough. It mostly was for daily spending, but a French bank account made rent, housing aid and phone plans much easier. Some banks and online banks have student offers. Do it in the first two weeks, because appointments can take time.

4. Apply for housing aid (CAF), even if it seems like a lot of work

International students can often apply for APL housing assistance through CAF. It's a lot of forms, it takes a while to get your first payment, and you'll need a French bank account, but it can take a meaningful chunk off your rent. Several friends skipped it because it seemed too complicated and regretted it.

5. Learn some French, even if your classes are in English

All my courses were in English, and plenty of exchange students get by with very little French. But the moment you leave campus, life is in French: the boulangerie, the pharmacy, the doctor, your landlord. Even basic phrases changed how people treated me. A few weeks of an app before you leave, and a beginner class once you arrive, go a long way. And locals really appreciate the effort.

6. Get the youth transit pass

Grenoble's trams and buses are good, and there's a discounted pass for young people. The city is also very bikeable and mostly flat (the mountains are around it, not in it). Lots of students rent a bike for the semester. Getting from the airport is the bigger trip: most of us flew into Lyon-Saint-Exupéry and took the shuttle bus, which takes about an hour.

7. Say yes to everything in the first month

Exchange friendships form fast. The first few weeks, when everyone is new, are when groups come together. Go to every welcome event, join the ski or hiking association, and take the cable car up to the Bastille with people you met that morning. I'm still close to people I met on a random first-week hike.

8. Use Grenoble as a base

Grenoble isn't as connected as Lyon, but it's a great base. Lyon is about an hour and a half by train, Geneva and Turin are very doable, and the Mediterranean coast is a few hours away. Annecy, the lakeside town everyone posts photos of, is a must. Buy a youth railcard; it pays for itself fast.

9. Budget for the mountains

Grenoble is cheaper than Paris, but mountain life isn't free. Ski passes, gear, ski-bus tickets and après add up. Put mountains in their own budget line, separate from regular travel, so you don't accidentally cut a ski weekend to pay for a city trip or the other way round.

10. Check your course equivalencies twice

Before you leave, confirm how every course will count back at Smith, and get it in writing. Course offerings sometimes change between when you apply and when you arrive. Have a backup course or two approved so a cancelled class doesn't become a headache.

11. Pack for cold, but not Kingston cold

Grenoble winters are cold in the valley and properly cold in the mountains, but city winters are milder than Kingston. Bring layers, a good jacket and waterproof shoes. If you ski, bring your own base layers and goggles; they're expensive to buy there.

Would I choose it again?

Without hesitation. If your idea of a perfect weekend involves fresh snow or a mountain hike, Grenoble is hard to beat. If you're not sure, take the match quiz; if 'Mountains & outdoors' is your vibe, there's a good chance Grenoble comes out on top. And when it does, the Grenoble guide on Exchange Hub has everything I wish I'd had, from SIM picks to where Smith students actually hang out.

— Daniel Zaika, Grenoble returnee and host of Postcards from Exchange