HOW DO YOU LIVE WHEN YOU

ARE A STUDENT

IN CLERMONT-FERRAND ?

These two universities are not located at the same place. Indeed, science and technology are out of the center and characterized by modern design buildings whereas human sciences are down town in older buildings.

Blaise Pascal University is divided into several departments ("facs" is what the students say !) : the English, Psychology, Applied Languages and Communication, History and Geography departments etc.

This is the reason why each department has its own organisation and its own way of working.

The administration of the University distributes the budget given by the State to each department which uses it as they want.

By knowing that we understand better the differences between the departments' equipment (computers, librairies, administration...).

This organisation sheds light on the students' different lifestyles although they are in the same University.

The students' ways of life are as different as the departments' organisations within the U.

"I prefer to live alone. I am independent, I don't disturb anybody if I want to work late by night, or if I want to invite my friends... My apartment is located down town, it is very convenient : I can do my grocery shopping, or go out at night. I don't need a car for anything. Besides, I am at a 15 minute walk from the University. The bad thing is that I have to pay for that. The rent costs me 2 000 Francs (400 $) a month. That is the price of my privacy !

I know that some students share large apartments, but it is not very frequent. I don't believe I would appreciate that. Of course, you always have someone to talk to but you are never alone... I wouldn't share my apartment, unless it was with my girlfriend.

The nice thing about being a student here is that you can do or learn any sports activities you want (football, tennis, gym, ballroom dancing, golf, archery, badminton, skiing, snow shoeing, swimming, and so on, and so on...). For my part I work out, and I play tennis. It's nice because it's gives you the opportunity to meet people, and to be aware of what the student activities office of other departments organize. There is always a party going on somewhere."

In Clermont, it is easy for one to have a snack at midday. In fact, there are two university canteens just next to the Faculties, at theDolet and Lebon campuses. There are also three cafeterias : the Manège, the Serre and the Rotonde. A meal ticket costs 13,70 FF. and at the cafeterias, one has to pay cash for about 17 FF. All around the University, we have snack-bars, but they are more expensive.

Generally, students, who live far from the University, eat there and Virginie, a second year student in Psychology who goes "four times a week" tothe Manège, is among them. But those who live near the University prefer to go back home and prepare their own meals.

Some students find jobs at Mc Donald's or Quick as waiters or at the University Libraries. The girls generally do some baby-sitting for some hours per week, but it is obvious that the majority of students do not work because the courses' schedules are inflexible.

According to the place of residence, students go to the University on foot and by bike or take public transport or their own cars. But due to the problem of parking, many prefer to leave their cars at home.

Emmanuelle ROIGT

Alioune SOW