The document provides details about the author's experience studying abroad at the University of California, Riverside for 3 months. It discusses the courses taken, including International Finance, Organizational Behavior Dynamics, and Social Entrepreneurship. It also describes aspects of living in Riverside such as renting an apartment, transportation costs, food expenses, and activities. The author notes some initial fears of loneliness and homesickness but did not encounter significant difficulties during the semester abroad.

1. 1[Date]

2. 2[Date]
GRATITUDE 3
INTRODUCTION 4
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – UC RIVERSIDE 5
United States of America 5
California 5
Los Angeles 5
Riverside 5
University of California Riverside 6
Material conditions 7
SEMESTER ANALYSIS 9
Courses Enrollment 9
Difficulties encountered and results achieved 12
PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTIONS 13
Academic and linguistic achievements 13
Link with IPAG Business School 13
Personal teaching 14
Discovery report 15
CONCLUSION 16

3. 3[Date]
GRATITUDE
I have been lucky to live an amazing experience abroad during 3 months in California. This will be for
me something unforgettable. I had the opportunity to study in English for a whole quarter with
International people and Americans. This is for me quite rewarding to be in total immersion in a foreign
country.
All of this has been possible thanks to my school, IPAG Business School, UC Riverside and my
coordinator Anne-Lise FOURNIER and Caroline FERRERO.
I want to thanks my parents who permitted me to live this experience by financing everything I needed
for.

4. 4[Date]
INTRODUCTION
For my third year at IPAG Business School of Nice, I had the opportunity to study abroad for the whole
year, and had to choose two schools or one school and an internship. I chose to go to the University of
California Riverside for the first quarter and then in Chine to Kunming.
I chose the United States because I wanted to be submerged by American culture and improve my
English. It is also an attractive country for young students who want to study in big universities and
experience the American lifestyle.
To get this university and any of the one in America you must pass the TOEFL with 550 or more score.
I chose UC Riverside because it was the only one on the West coast, and I had already been on the
East coast in the past.
I can tell that this expatriation made me grow up, by living alone and having my independence for couple
months. In this review, I am going to present you the United States, California, Riverside and what I
have been lucky to live there!

5. 5[Date]
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – UC RIVERSIDE
United States of America
The United States of America is a federal republic composed of fifty states, most of them are located
between Mexico and Canada. At 10 million km and with over 320 million people, the United States is
the world’s fourth largest country by total area and third most populous. It is the first most ethnically
diverse country with the world’s largest immigrant population. Washington, D.C is the country’s capital
but each state has his own “big” city called metropolitan areas with around five million or more
inhabitants (Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Miami…).
California
First, California state is the most populous state in the United States and the third most extensive by
area. Located on the West coast next to the Pacific Ocean. The large size of the state avoids a wide
range of climates. You can go surfing on the coast with a warm Mediterranean climate, drive 5 hours to
the first snowy mountains, hike in the most beautiful forest or discover arid desert in the interior.
The main cities are divided between South and North of California. San Francisco with the Bay Area for
the North, Los Angeles for the central south and San Diego in the South near Mexico.
Los Angeles
The Southland or Los Angeles, is the 18
th
largest metropolitan area in the world and second in the United
States. For the larger geographic region including Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, Los
Angeles area is home to 18 million people. With UCLA, USC and UCR, the city of the Southland is for
sure focused on the biggest universities.
Riverside
The expatriation takes place in Riverside which is part of Los Angeles. An hour drive from LAX airport,
it will take you more like 2 hours to reach the main city because of the traffic.
Riverside is in the Inland Empire area. 59
th
most populous city in the United States and 12
th
in the United
States. The population in 2010 was around 300 000 inhabitants. The University of California, Riverside,
is located in the North Eastern of the city where 21 000 students take part.

6. 6[Date]
University of California Riverside
Good to know, The University of California, Riverside is one of 10 universities within the prestigious
University of California system, and the only UC located in Inland Southern California. It was founded in
1954 and is known for his researches in biology.
First time I went on the campus, I was really impressed by how huge it is. However, students told me
this was a small campus compared to the others situated in the State. The campus is composed of
buildings for every single major. There is a building for Art, Business, Biochemistry, Engineering… and
all of them are big. You can find the recreation center, which has a gym, 5 basketball courts, 9 tennis
courts, an Olympic pool, 2 squash courts, a climbing wall, a baseball field, an athletic track…
The campus his-self is bordered by Dorms and Dining Halls. A dorm is literally a place where freshmen
(1
st
year students), leave all together. Pentland, Glenmor, Lothian, Aberdeen, four big buildings where
girls and boys leave. Each apartment is about 2 or more students. Dorms are connected to the Dining
Halls where they can eat (if they pay for the option in the quarter price) for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I could go and eat there for $10, the food is good and diverse (Italian, Japanese, Chinese, American…)
and you can eat as much as you want, it’s a buffet.
The campus is divided in 2 parts, the main campus that I just described and the Extension where mostly
all the international students study.
The Extension is 10 minutes by walk from the main campus and is only one building. Before school
starts on last September week, a meeting is organized in the biggest room of the extension where you
get your Student ID with all information about the E-Learning, Moodle (platform for quizzes and
homework), a book to choose your courses. Instructors are American and teach all around California.

7. 7[Date]
Material conditions
A quarter is composed of 3 months’ study. The courses started 19
th
September and ended the 10
th
December. I stayed from 15
th
September until 22
nd
December in California. For me, I chose to live with
only one roommate, from the IPAG business school, that I knew for two years. This choice was the best
one for me, I knew the person and had no surprise about his lifestyle and everything. I saw some people
asking for a 4 roommates apartment where they didn’t know any of them. This is a good idea for those
who want to meet new people fast and for the one who cannot afford a more expensive rent.
Anyway, for the living, we chose Sterling Highlander (there are plenty other rent housing like Grand
Marc, UV Towers...) but I can tell that Sterling is the best one because of the safety, social life and
reviews. For an apartment with one roommate it costs $1050 monthly, a deposit of $1875 and this
includes (water, electricity, internet, tv, apple tv, washing machine, laundry).
You have your own bedroom and bathroom which is really appreciated for your own privacy and comfort.
The only inconvenient at the beginning is that you have to buy everything for your apartment. The leasing
office sends you in July a list of all the items you need to buy.
COMMON AREA & KITCHEN BEDROOM BATHROOM
Pots & Pans
Mixing Bowls
Cooking Utensils
Plates, Bowls, Glasses etc.
Knives, Forks, Spoons
Dish Towels
Broom & Dust Pan
Mop
Iron and Ironing Board
Sheets, Blankets
Pillows Cases
Hangers
Ethernet Cord for internet
Wireless Internet Router
Shower Curtain
Towels
Washcloths
Toiletries
As soon as we arrived my roommate and I went to Kmart to buy everything we needed. I think we spent
like $400, we bought useful things and good brands in order to sell them again when leaving.
The residence is in front of a supermarket, Stater Bro’s. For the food, I was spending around $70 every
week (shopping and maybe $50 outside (fast foods…). The other thing I needed was service for my
phone, T-Mobile proposes a family pack for 3 to 5 people. We took the family pack for 5 people, $46
dollars each (8go internet which doesn’t count YouTube, Deezer, Spotify, SoundCloud) so you never
run out of data. This doesn’t include international calls, but you have apps like What’s app, Facebook,
Facetime for this!
The other big spending budget can become the transport. A car cost money if you are under 21 and
want to rent it. Some people bought cars for $3 000 but they were staying for a year so it was worth it.

8. 8[Date]
Only going to the campus and buy some food is possible by walk. Other activities are too far, and if you
want to travel a bit, you are going to need a car for at least a couple days.
I was 19 years old during the expatriation and the price for me to rent was $100 a day all included
(insurance etc.). For a mustang ($120) a day. I never rented because I made friends who all had cars.
However, at the beginning of the quarter, me and my roommate went once in Los Angeles (Santa
Monica, Venice) by UBER for $80, then discovered the train was $20 (return trip).
I advise to take the plane between Ontario and other cities like San Francisco or Sacramento, the flight
can be really cheap, like $80. I didn’t spend a lot in transport because of my friends but that would be a
big budget if you want to travel a lot by your-self.
Activities are also really expensive, recreation center (everything $200 for the quarter), a basket-ball
match ticket is expensive ($100), a concert ticket ($50/150$), a tour at universal studios ($170), Disney
pass, SeaWorld ($80), shooting ($50) ... I guess activities cost me monthly around $400.
Also, something important, do not take an insurance in France because you’ll have to pay one
mandatory for the university ($540). I planned my flight ticket with British Airways in May for September
for 650 € (return trip) which is cheap.

9. 9[Date]
SEMESTER ANALYSIS
Courses Enrollment
My first week was determinant for the courses I had to apply for. We were given a brochure at the
Extension center with several courses all about Business. The total units of our courses must be equal
to 12 and we could take additional courses but each unit cost $250. We were able to drop any course
for another one if the first one didn't fit with our expectation. I didn't choose any course on the main
campus because it was not fitting with my schedule.
TUESDAY (6pm – 10pm): International Finance
This lesson taught by the instructor Grant Yi, was really interesting. The course was designed for
students to develop financial knowledge and a broad perspective along with professional skepticism to
truly understand the fast changes that are happening in the international market and be able to take the
opportunity or manage the associated risk to become successful managers and investors in this
globalized world.
There were many project in this course that, not only require the use of analytical skills, but also a
creative and open mind. The projects were not designed for right or wrong answers. The reasons why
or not behind student’s choices related to the topics were discussed and graded each week. The project
topics may include the challenges and problems faced by firms planning on doing business in regions
like Europe, Asia, America and Africa.
So, every week we had a project to complete, work in groups was useful, we had different point of view
because I was working with German, Chinese and other French people. To give you examples, we
worked on the international monetary system; The FOREX; Currency derivatives and swaps…
WEDNESDAY (6pm – 9pm): Organizational Behavior Dynamics
Face to face format, this course was taught by an old marine, Ware Marlon. This course was a venture
into the cultural examination of people groups and organizations. It was providing a rigorous study into
the understanding and managing of work behavior, perceptions, emotions, motivations and stress. This
course was entail discussion and examination of developing work environments that align with
organizational culture. Also, provided evaluation, feedback and rewards that model constructive
behavior as well as a study identifying and managing misbehavior. We also examined decision making
processes, leadership, change and innovation in organizations.

10. 10[Date]
We had to buy a book, a text book called Organizational Behavior and Management written by
Ivancevich, Konopaske and Matteson. This book was huge and helped us to study cases that talked
more than only theories! I really enjoyed this course because I was with a lot of adults that were already
working in companies, and that were finishing their certificates. So, I learnt from the teacher but also
from the experience of life that other students had been through.
To give you key words of what we've been learning:
- Motivation
- Evaluation, Feedback, Rewards, Managing Misbehavior
- Managing individual stress
- Power, Politics
- Decision Making, Leadership
THURSDAY (10am – 1pm): SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
I loved this course. Taught by one of the best teacher I had. The instructor Patrick S. Millsap was close
to us, he tried to create a dynamic atmosphere! We were a big class with lot of Asian people that were
not used to that type of learning, and thanks to him they opened themselves and we shared our culture,
vision, opinion.
To be honest that was not the course I wanted to apply for, I was more involved in Entrepreneurship,
but anyway the social taught me that in the future we'll need more philanthropic people!
This course focused on the idea that business ought to have a triple bottom line for business. This
includes profitability, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Social entrepreneurship
primarily rests on primacy of social benefit or “mission-related” impact and the areas of market failure
(vacuum) brought about by globalization. The purpose of the course is to study how entrepreneurship,
in the social context, seeks to change the world’s big patterns for the good of all. The course focused
on both the outcome of specific Social Entrepreneurial endeavors and how current corporations view
the concept of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The course reviewed the general overview of
where Social Entrepreneurship has positioned itself at the beginning of the 21st Century, as it relates to
for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations and NGO’s (non-governmental agencies). The
course utilized the metrics associated with Proof of Impact in recent studies and literature.
We also had to buy a textbook. Social Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century: Innovation Across the
Nonprofit, private, and Public Sectors. Author: Georgia Levenson Keohane

11. 11[Date]
I also had a course called FUNDRAISING, but I dropped it after the first lesson because I knew it was
not fitting with my focus for next year. Instead I took a course on internet called QUALITY AND
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.
This course focuses on the idea that business ought to have a triple bottom line for business. This
includes profitability, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Social entrepreneurship
primarily rests on primacy of social benefit or “mission-related” impact and the areas of market failure
(vacuum) brought about by globalization. The purpose of the course is to study how entrepreneurship,
in the social context, seeks to change the world’s big patterns for the good of all.
Project success is dependent, not only upon the accomplishment of scope, cost, and schedule goals,
but on conformance to specifications and adherence to applicable quality requirements. This course
presents an overview of quality from the perspective of the project manager and provides essential tools
enabling you to effectively capture quality requirements, develop a quality management plan, establish
quality assurance processes, monitor quality control, and make data- driven decisions about process
and product quality.
It was okay to take a course on internet but I advise other future students from IPAG to maximize the
courses Face to Face because this is where you get a contact with other American students!

12. 12[Date]
Difficulties encountered and results achieved
Common problems when studying abroad:
- Loneliness and being homesick
- Meeting expectations
- Making new friends and fear of losing the old ones
- Financial management
- Achieving academic success
For me, I’d rather talk about fears than difficulties. I never went through sad, hard or difficult moments.
I learnt that the fear of having difficulties in a foreign country where you are alone, pushes you to fix
things before they even happen.
First, meeting my expectations. Apartment, courses, travel. Leaving home for a new place is sometime
scary when you didn’t visit the apartment you are going to leave in for the 3 next months. I was expecting
a really nice place, with decorations, internet, and everything needed inside. At my arrival on the 15
th
September, I was surprise because the apartment was not really looking like on the pictures and not
that much clean. The leasing office got me a first-floor apartment with a parking view and the ground on
the first floor was in polish concrete, instead of prosecution. My shower was cold for the first two days
and I had no internet connection… I can tell that I didn’t reach my apartment expectation within the first
week but, the office fixed the shower, we bought some decorations, cleaned the apartment, got a rooter!
Making new friends and fearing the loss of the old ones. I wanted to meet American people in priority, I
was really focused on finding students that were living here forever and that could show me their culture.
I sought to celebrate thanksgiving, watch an American football game, play Basket-Ball, party, and learn
with Americans. I was not really scared of losing old friends but still, I was wondering how to really keep
contact with other friends who study back home with 9-hour difference.
The unexpected expected happened. I joined a fraternity, met hundreds of American students,
celebrated Halloween in the American way, discovered Thanksgiving in a family, watched my first
Football game at USC, partied with 200 people in the same house and didn’t speak French for the whole
quarter!
Achieving academic success. Doing well on my exams was a priority, I didn’t want to fail and had no
reason to, until I was putting in work my effort. I took 3 classes at school and one on internet, I thought
it would be harder than that. I didn’t feel the barrier of the language because the teachers were really
kind with us, trying to go slowly and not that demanding. I passed my finals with an average of B, which
is a 3.0 GPA. I got all my credits and I can tell that I improved my English.

13. 13[Date]
PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTIONS
Academic and linguistic achievements
Before that, I had never been in another country to study more than a month. Studying abroad for a
quarter is a unique experience that each student should be able to live.
The teaching method is not the same. All my American instructors were teaching with interactions
between students together or directly with them. I never had a lesson where I was only listening. We
had to prepare a group project in each class but the one on internet. I learnt to develop my teamwork
skills, my time management and for sure my ability to speak in front other international students or
Americans in English. The courses content was the same as in France but the way they were taught
was not. I don’t say that it is better in America, however, it was more fitting with my personality.
I chose courses that I never had in France, and thanks to those I now know what I don’t want to choose
as a specification (finance) and what I’d rather take for my first-year master.
I can tell that my English level is way better than at the beginning of the quarter, the immersion in a
University where everyone speaks a foreign language pushes you to learn faster to communicate with
others. I joined a fraternity where everyone was American (70 people), I was everyday with them which
was the best exercise possible to improve my English. I barely talked French, only with my roommate
because it is useful to have someone you can talk with about specific things or even to still have a
reminder of your country! What is uncomfortable become your best ally if you want to learn a new
language. At my arrival in LAX, I was already facing the new world, finding a shuttle to go to my
apartment, talking with the leasing office about administrative papers, ordering food in restaurant…
Link with IPAG Business School
First of all, my business program was different in America because I could take any business course,
Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Marketing… Nothing was mandatory.
According to me, this year was a test before the 4
th
year in Nice. I took courses I never had in the past
and that were kind of different. International finance, Organizational Behaviour, Social Entrepreneurship
and Project Management, 4 classes that are completely different. Interested in international trade
specification, I tried to take finance and project management to keep a logic path in my studies abroad.
After two years in Nice learning about general stuffs, Riverside confirmed my choice.
The link between what you study at IPAG or at UCR is real, the classes taken helps you to clarify your
choice in the future and help you to learn in another language which might be the one used for your
Master.

14. 14[Date]
Personal teaching
We travel to experience something new, create memories and come back to tell others what we were
lucky to live.
Americans have two cards, the first one is debit and other one is debit. You can choose how to pay
every time; you don’t need to type your code unless you don’t have your ID with the same name on your
credit card. A system that works and that we cannot blame. I honestly think we are in the past for some
things.
The uncrossable line outside supermarket, caddies cannot be taken outside of the store area because
it cost money to the shops and homeless people try to steal them. The wheels automatically block when
you cross the yellow line!
What surprised me at the beginning is how they drive and how they get their driver license. First, they
can drive when they are 16 years old which is early but permit to become independent real fast. People
switch off by the right and the left, which is dangerous! That’s why accident even minors, happen every
day! It only cost $50 to get your driver license, it would be a thousand in France. You can also turn right
at the light even if it is red, a smart thing when you know that every road is straight.
The food was maybe the worst part. It was difficult to find good product or European brands. I had
trouble to eat red meat because of the provenance, the colour of the meat… You cannot eat healthy
unless you go to Trader’s Joe which is a bit expensive but products are okay. Restaurants also are
different; waiters know they can get a good tip so every time you order they are nice and this is awesome.
You are re-filled when you glass is empty (water or sodas).
The parties were completely different from where I come from. People party in houses, big houses. The
reason is simple; you need to be 21 to buy alcohol in clubs and everywhere else.
Other things that surprised me was:
You cannot regulate the power of the shower, there is no head shower so you better not mind about
wetting your hair every single shower.
There is a grinder in every apartment, the AC is turned on 24/7.
Taxes are not written on the price, you only know how much you are going to pay when you are paying
(clothes, food…).
You never get a drink without ice in it.

15. 15[Date]
Discovery report
I have been surprised on a lot of points. America is wide, desert, forest, hills everything you can have to
feel free. People usually live in houses, which are always pretty big, with a garden and sometimes a
pool. This helps to be comfortable, have privacy and feel safe. I was amazed because it creates beautiful
neighbourhoods with huge houses and garden. This helps not to be stressed by your environment.
A four lanes highway, big cars and straight road make people drive without limit, a two-hour drive is
something common and won’t bother them. Therefore, nobody walks in America. Sidewalks are often
or always empty, because everything is far and why walking when you can drive and park without any
problem! Moreover, you can drive when you are 16 years old and the driver license is only $50.
Another thing that surprised me is the lack of culture that American teenagers have. Most of them never
travelled even out of California. The explanation is why would you go out of the state if you already have
everything inside (snow, desert, ocean…). Some of them were also wondering where France was
exactly situated, next to what country, which ocean or sea was bordering the country. However, they
were aware about the stereotypes that we are known for, French baguette, our taste for cigarettes,
champagne, Eiffel tower…
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised about how kind Americans are. People won’t judge your outfits,
your lifestyle, your car or anything else if they don’t know you. I was surprised on how many times people
complimented me for anything. Also, when you go to restaurant it a pleasure to be served by someone
that welcome you correctly, who introduces his-self and take care of you the whole diner (because of
the tips).

16. 16[Date]
CONCLUSION
Those 3 months in Riverside have been for me incredible. It was an honor to be able to travel and study
10 000km away from my school, my family and my friends. I am aware that this privilege is not given to
everybody, therefore I am thankful to everyone that permitted me to live it.
Leaving alone pushes you to grow up and to learn how to manage your time, your money and to fix
sometimes your problem alone! I can tell that an expatriation brings you the asset for your future on a
personal, and professional point.
I met a ton of people, expanded my network, improved my English by being surrounded of American
people of my age all the time. I loved the way instructors were teaching. I wish I could have been a
student for 4 years in an American University.
I met my expectations, achieved academically, extended my network and lived fully this experience. I
can’t wait for China now.