Bonjour from Bordeaux!
I spent two semesters here as part of a Double Degree program. My specialization was wine business, which was a unique experience that I could only experience from Bordeaux. The academic experience was quite different from Finland. Classes were more traditional, attendance was mandatory, and exams were often written by hand.
What made the studies especially unique was for example, the field visits. We got to visit prestigious châteaux like Château Latour, Lascombes, and Cos d’Estournel. These visits weren’t just sightseeing. They were a real part of our learning.
In my free time, I loved exploring Bordeaux and neighboring cities, enjoying café life, and sharing long evening dinners with friends. Compared to Finland, everything felt more expressive and relaxed. People greet each other with cheek kisses (bisous), and the rhythm of life is slower. At first, it was a cultural shock, but over time, I really began to appreciate the social warmth and slower pace.
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