Week 15: End of Exams & Copenhagen!

I am writing my fifteenth blog with a mere four days left in France.  I’m left scratching my head wondering where the time has gone – it truly has flown by. 

As Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Through the past amazing four months, I feel that I’ve succeeded in following Mark Twain’s words.  In fifteen weeks I’ve traveled through eleven countries discovering bits and pieces about each one.  I’ve continued my education by studying finance at Triple Crown Accredited Rouen Business School, which has also been labeled as one of the top business schools in France. My international exchange has been an experience of a lifetime.

I highly recommend all students to seize the opportunity to study abroad for a semester.  There is an increase in the costs involved, but effective planning can minimize additional costs that you will incur on exchange.  As an example, all University of Windsor students can apply for the Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship, which provides a $2,500 scholarship for students that wish to study abroad. In past years, all students that were eligible for the scholarship have received it.   In my blog next week, I hope to cover the costs that I incurred on exchange so prospective students can have some idea on a budget of their own.

My final examinations have finished last Friday and I am officially enjoying my Winter break.  The exams that I wrote weren’t too different from what would be expected at Odette with respect to difficulty. The largest challenge for me was wrapping my head around the concept that the examination is worth substantially more than at Odette, contributing as 70% - 100% of my overall course grade.  The exam length of the varied too, with one final exam lasting only an hour in length.  As with exams at Odette, if you prepare yourself for the final exam, you should survive the class with ease.

(Tivoli Market)

The Tivoli Gardens is the second oldest amusement park in the world, dating back to 1843. Click on the image to view pictures from the rest of my Copenhagen trip.

I headed on a three day trip to Copenhagen over the weekend.  A highlight from my adventures was Tivoli Gardens, which is the second oldest amusement park in the world.  During the Christmas season, the park is decorated with festive lights and Christmas Markets.  I was also lucky enough to watch the Changing of The Guard at the Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen.  

We were able to stand directly behind the guards during the Changing of the Guard ceremony!

I will be getting ready to fly back to Canada this Saturday.  Once I get settled in at home, I will be sure to post a final blog on the different entertainment in Rouen as well as my estimated expenses from my semester abroad.