Everything they don't tell you about moving abroad
Guides, city notes and honest advice from students who have made the leap — and the team that helps them land.
Student accommodation in Bordeaux: where to look, when to start and the timing traps to avoid
Student accommodation Bordeaux: where to search, when to start looking, which platforms to use and how to avoid missing the right window.
CROUS vs private student housing: how to choose as an international student in Bordeaux
CROUS vs private student housing: the honest comparison (price, availability, services, application, flexibility) to choose your accommodation in Bordeaux.
Eat cheap as a student in Bordeaux: uni canteens, markets and top tips
Eat cheap Bordeaux student guide: the CROUS university canteens at a low social rate, cafeterias, markets, anti-waste apps and every money-saving meal tip.
Furnished or unfurnished student France: which to pick for Erasmus (the practical view)
Furnished or unfurnished student France: what a furnished flat legally includes, what you'll still need to buy, and why furnished almost always wins for Erasmus.
Getting around Bordeaux as a student: tram, bus, bikes and the TBM pass
Getting around Bordeaux student guide: the TBM network (tram, bus), the reduced-price youth pass, VCUB bikes and all the tips to move between campus and centre.
Healthcare for students in Bordeaux: doctor, pharmacy, emergencies and campus health
Healthcare student Bordeaux: how to see a doctor, register a médecin traitant, use the campus health centre, find a pharmacy and know the emergency numbers.
État des lieux France: the student check-in and check-out inventory (anti-dispute checklist)
État des lieux France: check-in vs check-out inventory, the contradictoire rule, wear-and-tear and a checklist to protect your deposit. The document that saves you.
Learn French in Bordeaux: courses, tandems and tips for international students
Learn French in Bordeaux: the DEFLE, FLE classes, free or community courses, language tandems and apps to make fast progress as an international student.
Rental application file: what documents you need to rent in France as an international student
Rental application France international student: the documents you need, how to rent without a French guarantor and stand out to secure your flat.
Rental deposit France for students: guarantor vs deposit, how much, getting it back
Rental deposit France student: the guarantor vs deposit mix-up cleared up, legal caps, return deadlines and how to get your security deposit back in full.
SIM card and mobile plan in France for international students: getting a French number
SIM card international student France: why a French number is essential, no-contract vs prepaid vs eSIM, and what you need to sign up.
Student budget in Bordeaux: how much life costs and how to manage it
Student budget Bordeaux: the spending categories (rent, food, transport, health), how to work out your monthly budget and the levers to spend less.
Student flatshare in Bordeaux: finding flatmates, choosing your lease and avoiding the traps
Student flatshare Bordeaux: how to find flatmates, single vs individual lease, the real perks, the traps and how it works for an international student.
Student job in Bordeaux: your right to work, hours allowed and where to look
Student job Bordeaux: your right to work (EU vs non-EU), the hours cap, where to find part-time work and how to get paid at least the minimum wage.
Student life in Bordeaux: societies, sport, going out and meeting people
Student life Bordeaux: student societies and the ESN network for internationals, university sport (SUAPS), nightlife and tips to meet people fast when you arrive.
Understanding the student tenancy lease in France: furnished, 9-month, mobility, and what to check before you sign
Student tenancy France: furnished vs unfurnished, 9-month lease, mobility lease, duration, notice, deposit and the clauses to check before signing.
Bordeaux student neighbourhoods: where to live by budget, campus and vibe
Bordeaux student neighbourhoods: where to live by budget, campus and vibe. Compare Victoire, Saint-Michel, Talence and Chartrons.
CVEC for international students in Bordeaux: 2026-2027 fee, exemptions and certificate
CVEC for international students in Bordeaux: the 2026-2027 amount, who's exempt (scholarship holders, refugees, some Erasmus) and how to get your certificate.
Opening a Bank Account as an International Student in Bordeaux: Documents, Timing and Smart Moves
International student bank account in Bordeaux: why you need one on day one, which documents to bring, traditional vs online bank, and the RIB.
Social Security and Health Insurance for International Students in Bordeaux: How to Register and Get Reimbursed
International student social security in France: EU with an EHIC or non-EU registering free on ameli, carte Vitale, reimbursements and the mutuelle.
Student home insurance in Bordeaux: mandatory, cheap and how to get it fast
Student home insurance Bordeaux: why it's mandatory to sign your lease, what it covers, and how to get your certificate online fast.
Student housing scams in Bordeaux: the 8 red flags every international student should know
Student housing scams Bordeaux: the 8 red flags, the golden rule that keeps you safe and how to report a fake listing before you lose money.
CAF and APL Housing Benefit for International Students in Bordeaux: 2026 Rules and How to Apply
Can you claim French housing benefit (APL) as an international student in Bordeaux? Here are the 2026 rules, the change that affects non-EU non-scholarship students, and how to apply on caf.fr.
Visale: The Free State-Backed Guarantor for Erasmus Students in Bordeaux (2026 Guide)
No French guarantor to rent in Bordeaux? Visale is a free, state-backed rent guarantee open to international students under 30. Here are the 2026 rules and the step-by-step application.