Short-Term Programmes Pre-Arrival Guide
2017
Are you ready? We are delighted that you will be participating in one of our business programmes. BSB-Burgundy School of Business pays particular attention to developing contacts with students at international universities and other higher education institutions. Enjoy the French way of life in a beautiful location: as the capital of Burgundy, Dijon has a very special cultural heritage. It is one of the best-preserved historic centres in France with beautiful architecture. Moreover, it is internationally renowned for its wines and gastronomic specialities.
We look forward to seeing you in Dijon soon ..
CONTENTS
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Life in Dijon
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French Culture Tips
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General Pre-Arrival Information
7 - Practical Information:
- Electrical Appliances - Banks & Currency Exchange - Dress Code - What to pack
8 - Stay connected:
- Cell phones - Wi-Fi Access
8 - Your stay in Dijon:
- Getting Around Dijon - Souvenirs - Entertainment - Sport
9 - Food and drink:
- Eating Facilities at BSB - Local Cuisine - Estimated Food & Drink prices
10 - Further afield:
- Transport - Where to Visit - What to do in Paris
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French Computer Keyboard Tips
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Helpful Phrases & Vocabulary
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Life in Dijon BSB-Burgundy School of Business is located on a campus just a few minutes' walk from the centre of Dijon. One of the best-preserved historic centres in France, Dijon artfully combines tradition and modernity, and is ranked the second most desirable town in France in terms of quality of life.
A city open to the world: Dijon, a university and business centre, is the capital of the Burgundy region. It is situated in the very heart of Europe. Its picturesque and bustling pedestrian streets, flourishing trade, beautiful parks and gardens, all contribute to the town's lively and warm atmosphere.
A historic city: Wandering through the streets of Dijon is like a stroll through centuries of history. From the 12th century to the end of the 15th century, the Dukes of Burgundy bequeathed artistic and architectural treasures to the town, which bear witness to the Dukes' prestige. The centre of Dijon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers an area of over 100 hectares (more than 250 acres) featuring churches built between medieval times and present day, stately town houses dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, and medieval half-timbered houses.
A cultural city: In between savouring the gastronomic delights of Dijon, there are also a thousand other pleasures ready to be discovered – theatre, concerts, opera, cinema, the annual wine festival, food festivals, the many summer musical and cultural events, Dijon's seven museums, numerous art galleries and exhibition halls. Check out the schedule of cultural events here: http://www.visitdijon.com/en/dijon_agenda.htm
A business city: Dijon's enviable location in the heart of a European communications network, with a first rate motorway and rail transport system, means that many internationally orientated companies have chosen to settle in Burgundy and have a privileged relationship with Burgundy School of Business, offering many opportunities to exchange professional advice and offer work experience for our students. The wine trade, the pharmaceutical industry and the food-processing industry are the most significant economic sectors in the city.
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French Culture Tips Language French is spoken with different accents depending on which region of France you are in. French people take real pride in having a command over their language but be prepared to hear many colloquial expressions – and 'franglais' (a mixture of French and English). From time to time you will find that French people can very reluctant to speak foreign languages, such as English, because they are selfconscious about making mistakes. As a general rule of thumb, French people will usually be much warmer if you try to speak to them in French first, even if you are only using basic words/ expressions. The school's French name used to be ESC Dijon Bourgogne before changing to BSB-Burgundy School of Business. Locals probably won't recognise the name 'Burgundy School of Business' so if you get lost, ask for ESC (euh-es-say) or l'école de commerce.
Conversation French people pride themselves on their ability to strike up a conversation and debate. In France, school children are taught from a young age to reason and analyse topics, as well as to argue their points of view. Students' conversations centre on general topics of social and cultural issues, such as politics… but rarely do they centre on topics such as the weather or money. When speaking, French people interrupt each other continually and debate fiercely even the minutest of details. Some people say that the French prefer discussion to action - you may discover this for yourself!
Food Meals are important in every region in France, and you will often see 'produits du terroir'. This means the local specialties. Smaller portion sizes mean that French restaurants are not accustomed to giving doggie bags. Some local specialties in Dijon include poached eggs in red wine sauce, ham with parsley, and snails. It is polite to wait until everyone's food has been served prior to starting your own meal. French people take lunchtime very seriously and you should not be surprised to find that life grinds to a halt for a couple of hours after midday.
Cafés The café is one of the best-known symbols of the French way of life. It is more than a place to drink; it is also a meeting place for students, friends and acquaintances. You can socialize, debate current affairs or any range of topics or simply watch the world go by.
Humour The French usually appreciate "esprit" (wit), and witty anecdotes with plays on words. French people also enjoy caricature and farce, "la BD" (Comic strips) like Tintin, Lucky Luke or Astérix as well as political satire.
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Queues French queues at a bus stop or at the theatre are often disorderly affairs and the French are known to be great queue jumpers.
Shops Beware: most shops are closed between 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm: as mentioned above, lunchtime is sacred in France! Shops are also closed on Sundays, with the exception of some smaller supermarkets which tend to be open on Sunday mornings - check online for opening hours.
Politeness and directness The French are generally very sociable. A "merci" is often acknowledged with "je vous en prie" or "de rien". Before eating together, people say "Bon appétit" to each other. Passing ahead of another person is excused with a "pardon".
Formality When you are speaking to older people or people you don't know you should say: "Bonjour Monsieur" or "Bonjour Madame" and use the "vous"-form for please – "s'il vous plait". "Au revoir Monsieur/ Madame", "Merci Monsieur/ Madame" are magic words in France. Be prepared to answer the questions: "Comment ça va?" or "Vous allez bien?"
Friendship The French make a clear distinction between friends (amis, amies) and acquaintances (connaissances). It takes a while to be accepted as a friend in France. Relationships develop into friendships after a certain time and friends expect loyalty and sincerity from each other.
Greetings and farewells The formal etiquette of shaking hands or kissing family members on both cheeks ("la bise") when meeting or saying goodbye remains a core tradition. Friends who use the informal "salut" as their greeting or farewell will shake hands or offer "la bise". It is polite to say "Bonjour" when entering a shop and "Au revoir" when exiting. If you make friends with French students, expect to kiss on both cheeks when meeting and saying goodbye. When leaving, if there is a big group of you, make sure you leave enough time to kiss everyone!
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General Pre-Arrival Information Practical Information Electrical Appliances France uses the 220 v system, so you will need an adaptor to use your appliances in France. CAUTION: Many students who brought their adapters from the US found that the prongs featured on their adapters were too short due to the recessed sockets. An extender plug was required. Adapters with surge protectors cost around â‚Ź45.
Banks & Currency Exchange Currency can be exchanged in Dijon in most banks and at the central post office. Remember that even though exchange rates are clearly displayed, agent commissions will vary. You will get better exchange rates with ATM withdrawals than if you exchange foreign currency here in France. Credit cards are widely used in France but in most shops have a minimum card spend of 7 euros. In addition, in some smaller shops you cannot pay by credit card. So, no matter what, you need cash with you! Check with your bank before you go abroad to see whether it charges extra for ATM withdrawals in France. Also check whether it perhaps has an agreement with a specific bank in France meaning withdrawals are cheaper. Most banks in Dijon are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings. We advise against using traveller's cheques, as it can be difficult to exchange them here in Dijon. Another option to research is prepaid travel money cards; this way you don't need to carry around all your cash, and can potentially avoid transaction and ATM withdrawal fees (depending on the card chosen).
What to pack The weather in Dijon is the most important factor when packing your suitcase. Here's what you can expect in the different seasons, but make sure you check the weather forecast before you leave as well: -
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January: often the coldest part of the year, temperatures are often just above 0 ď‚°C so make sure to wear a warm coat and bring lots of layers. Consider bringing boots and shoes suitable for ice on the pavements or even snow. March: the weather can be very mixed in the transition from winter to spring. Make sure to bring a coat in case it is particularly cold, and don't forget an umbrella. June/ July: This is when summer arrives in Dijon. Temperatures will tend to be in the high 20s and 30s so pack with this in mind. Don't forget you still need business attire for company visits in the summer.
Also remember to bring a laptop.
Dress code When you visit companies during your course here at BSB-Burgundy School of Business, you will be expected to wear business attire. For women, this means a blouse with trousers or a skirt, or a smart
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dress. For men, this means smart trousers and a shirt, and perhaps a jacket if you wish. Make sure you wear closed-toe shoes, and it is recommended not to wear high heels for health and safety reasons.
Stay connected Cell Phones Using cell phones abroad can be very expensive. Read our top tips for reducing costs of keeping in contact whilst in France. -
We advise not to use calling cards on cell phones because it will use up your minutes. It's better to get hold of call cards for landlines or public phones. Don't use the hotel landlines as they are far too expensive!
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Do pre-warn friends and family that calling foreign phone numbers is expensive so that they're not surprised by the bill!
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French pre-paid sim cards are available; however, these can be pricey and time-consuming to set up for a short stay.
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Check what deals your home network offers. Consider getting a contract where your package can be used abroad.
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Research the costs of making calls and sending texts abroad before you leave.
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Turn off data roaming, so that you are not forced to pay thousands for internet. There is free Wi-Fi in the school and in your hotel, and in many other establishments (see next point)
Wi-Fi Access There are many restaurants and cafés offering free Wi-Fi access including:
BSB – Burgundy School of Business campus – you will be given login details upon arrival Le Chouette Café, 4 Rue de la Chouette, 21000 Dijon Caf & Co (fair-trade community café), 27 Jean Jacques Rousseau McDonalds, 36-38 Rue de la Liberté Subway, opposite train station, and 70 Rue de la Liberté Quick, train station
Your stay in Dijon Getting Around Dijon Dijon has a very good public transport network; however, everything you need is well within walking distance of your hotel. You will be given a paper map on arrival, but we also have an online Google Map, which you can save to your phone or tablet. Everything that you will need during your stay is labelled: ATMs, laundromats, food shops, pharmacies, Wi-Fi hotspots, museums, cinemas, sports facilities… https://goo.gl/NMJLQn
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Souvenir Ideas Mustard – arguably Dijon's most famous export; the Maille brand mustard shop is at 32 rue de la Liberté Gingerbread Pain d'épices – another Dijon favourite Anis bonbons (candy made in the Flavigny Abbey) Macarons…
Some Souvenir Shops:
Au Duché de Bourgogne, 1 place de la Libération Boutique Zoé, 6 rue de la Chouette
Entertainment and Culture Two cinemas in Dijon show films in their original format, with French subtitles and not dubbed: the Eldorado and Devosge cinemas. Student prices are €6 at the Eldorado and €4.50 at Devosge. There is also a theatre; check out this website to see what is on during your stay: http://www.tdb-cdn.com/ There are also several museums in the city, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts), Musée Magnin and the Musée archéologique (Archaeological Museum). Have a look online to find out more: http://www.musees-bourgogne.org/les_musees/index.php?lg=en&id_ville=11
Sport There are plenty of parks for jogging, gyms, racquet clubs and an Olympic swimming pool in Dijon.
Food and drink Eating Facilities at Burgundy School of Business BSB-Burgundy School of Business does not have a cafeteria; instead, it has a dining area with microwaves available to heat food and vending machines with sandwiches and meals that you can heat up. There are also many other establishments within a 10 minute walk of the school which offer particularly good lunch options. If you don't fancy the walk, there is a boulangerie (bakery) opposite the school, which sells sandwiches, pizza slices, quiches and patisseries.
Traditional Burgundian Cuisine Burgundy is considered to be the gastronomic capital of France. A few traditional dishes you could try are:
Jambon persillé (ham cooked in a terrine with fresh parsley and served cold) Boeuf bourguignon (beef in a wine sauce)
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Escargots de Bourgogne (snails in garlic parsley butter) Coq au vin (chicken in a wine sauce) Kir, a delicious mixture of white wine (aligoté) and cassis liquor, was invented by one of Dijon's former mayors, Canon Kir The site "Burgundy Today" offers a glossary of Burgundian specialties: http://www.burgundytoday.com/restaurants/glossary.htm And finally, you musn't forget the famous wines of the Burgundy region: http://www.bourgogne-wines.com/
Estimated Food & Drink Prices in Dijon -
Beer – 4 - 6 €
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Wine, Glass – 4 - 6+ €
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Cappuccino in a Café – 2.50 €
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Soft Drinks – 2 - 3 €
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Bottle of Water – 1.60 €
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Sandwiches (filled baguettes) – 3-4 €
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Meal in an inexpensive restaurant – 6-10 €
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Litre of Milk – 1.20 €
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Loaf of Fresh White Bread – 1.20 €
Further afield Transport Rail travel in France and across Europe can be booked with SNCF. Booking in advance can be a good idea in order to get cheap deals. Trains can booked through this site in English: http://uk.voyagessncf.com/en/ You can also travel to Paris for just €1 each way with https://www.flixbus.fr/, or low cost TER trains, for example for a day trip to the capital, on http://www.region-bourgogne.fr/Paris-et-Dijon-a-prixreduits,610,5303,intl:en. Another option to travel in France is http://fr.ouibus.com/fr
Where to visit Dijon is situated in the heart of Europe, which makes it a perfect place to travel from. In two hours or less, the high-speed TGV trains can take you to Paris, Lyon, and Basel (Switzerland) and in two and a half hours, you could find yourself in Strasbourg (France) or Zurich (Switzerland). Flixbus can also take you to Geneva quicker than the train, and for cheaper too. Dijon's location allows you to make the most of your trip to France, so take advantage of it! Book in advance to get the best deals on train and bus tickets.
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What to do in Paris Paris is an enormous city with countless attractions. It is impossible to see them all! Here are our top tips for making the most of a short stay in the city (all prices correct of December 2016): -
Firstly, research the transport options before you go. It may be worth buying a 'Paris Visite' Metro card, or it may not, depending on your plans.
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Consider a walking tour, if you're feeling up for it. There are a few free walking tours that offer a wealth of information about the city and its history and culture as they take you around the main sites in the city centre.
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An alternative is an open-top bus tour, or a boat tour.
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The Eiffel Tower: needs no introduction! Get to the top and you can see for up to 60km across Paris. You can climb the 1665 stairs to the second level (if you are feeling athletic) for €5 (24 and under)! It is €14.50 (24 and under) to get the lift straight to the third floor. Do book in advance either way to avoid very long queues!
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The Arc de Triomphe: Built in monument to Napoleon's victory in 1805, the Arc de Triomphe is an iconic Parisian monument. Tickets to the viewing platform are €9 (25 and under), or free for EU residents under 25.
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Sacré Cœur: Some 234 spiralling steps lead you to the basilica’s dome, which affords one of Paris’ most spectacular panoramas – you can see for up to 30km on a clear day. Entrance to the dome is €6, however entrance to the church itself is free.
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Notre Dame: entrance is free to this incredibly stunning cathedral right in the heart of Paris, you'll find a spectacular view of Paris from the Galerie des Chimères (Gallery of Gargoyles).
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Musée de Louvre: see Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, works by Michaelangelo, Raphael, Botticeli… the list is literally endless. People estimate it would take months just to glance at every painting! Entrance is €15 (free for EU residents under 25)
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Musée D'Orsay: The old Belle Époque Orsay train station was converted into the Musée D’Orsay in 1986 to house one of the world’s largest collections of Impressionist and Postimpressionist art – works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh… Entrance €9 for non-EU residents under 25s (free for EU residents under 25)
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Centre Pompidou: this feat of modern architecture is the home of modern art in Paris, streets nearby attract buskers, musicians, jugglers and mime artists. Tickets €11 (EU/non-EU under 25s) including panoramic view at the top.
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Jardin du Luxembourg: is an incredibly beautiful inner-city garden, it's the backdrop to the Palais du Luxembourg, and you'll find formal terraces, Puppet theatre, a carrousel…well worth a visit.
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Montmartre: overlooking Paris and crowned by the Sacré Coeur, this little village has been home to artists since turn of the century. Today, it remains both an artistic and touristic hub, thanks to its fairy-tale charm. Wander through the steep winding streets and you will find windmills and the city's only vineyard, the remnants of the village's past. Countless cafés, including Les Deux Moulins from the fim Amélie offer a welcome break from walking through the city's steepest quarter.
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French Computer Keyboard Tips BSB-Burgundy School of Business logins are Caps Sensitive Use the 10-key number pad for numbers when logging in! Démarrer = Start menu Fermer la session = log out Arrêter le système = turn the computer off
How to navigate the number keys at the top and other general symbols: Key only = the symbol in the lower left hand corner Alt Gr + Key = the symbol in the lower right hand corner Shift ( Caps (
) + Key = the top symbol (numbers) ) = all caps letters, all top symbols like numbers
In order to get a "period/"full stop"", press Shift and "semi-colon" key In order to get a question mark, press Shift and "comma" key "@" sign = Alt Gr + 0 key
Verr Num = Number Lock Suppr = Delete Fin = End
Shortcut keys in Word: Ctrl C (copy), Ctrl V (paste), Ctrl I (italics), Ctrl U (underline) are all the same Ctrl G is Bold Alt + Tab switches between windows: Tab
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Helpful French Phrases and Vocabulary Here are some useful phrases and vocabulary that you will need in France: Hello
Bonjour (bawnjhoor)
Good-bye
Au revoir (oa revwahr)
Please
S'il vous plait (seal voo play)
Thank you, very much
Merci, beaucoup (mehrsee, bow coo)
You're welcome
Je vous en prie/ de rien (zhe vooz on pree/ duh ree-n)
Where is the restroom?
Où sont les toilettes, s'il vous plaît? (oo sahn lay twalett, seal voo play)
Excuse me/Pardon me
Excusez-moi/ Pardon (exkewzay mwah/ pahrduhn)
Do you speak English?
Parlez-vous anglais? (parlay voo onglay)
I don't speak French
Je ne parle pas français (jer neh pahrl pa frahn say)
Can you help me, please?
Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plait? (poo vay voo mayday…)
Help!
Au Secours! (oh! Se coor)
How many/How much?
Combien? (comb bee anne)
My name is…
Je m'appelle… (zhe ma pell)
How are you?
Comment ça va? (kommahn saw vaw)
I am fine
Ca va bien (saw vaw bee n)
I am lost
Je suis perdu (zhe swee pear dew)
I don't understand
Je ne comprends pas (zhe neh kam prawn pa)
Numbers: 1: un / auhn 2: deux / duh 3: trois / trwah 4: quatre / kahtr 5: cinq/ sank 6: six/seess 7: sept/ seht 8: huit/ wheat 9: neuf/ nehf
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10: dix/ deess
Days: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Lundi Mardi Mercredi Jeudi Vendredi Samedi Dimanche
lunhdee mahrdee mehrkrehdee zhuhdee vehndredee sahmdee deemahn
Months: January February March April May June July August September October November December
Janvier Février Mars Avril Mai Juin Juillet Août Septembre Octobre Novembre Décembre
zhahn vee yay fay vhree yay mahrs ahvreel may zhew nh zhu ee yay oot septehmbre octoabre novehmbre dayssehmbre
Post Office Counter/window Airmail Envelope Stamp Book of stamps Letter Post card Package Weight Size Receipt Recorded delivery Return receipt
Guichet Par avion Enveloppe Timbre Carnet de timbres Lettre Carte-postale Colis Le poids Dimension Ticket Recommandé Avis de reception
Bus One ticket, please Bus stop
Un ticket, s'il vous plaît Arrêt
Train station Ticket
Billet
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Single ticket Return ticket Platform Carriage
Billet aller Billet aller-retour Voie Wagon
Restaurant/Café The bill The menu Set price menu Jug of tap water (usually free) Starters Main course Dessert Expresso Latté Cappuccino Beer Pint White wine Red wine Bottle (of)
L'addition La carte Le menu Une carafe d'eau Entrée Plat principal Dessert Un expresso Café au lait Cappuccino Bière Une bière Vin blanc Vin rouge Une bouteille (de)
Toiletries Toothpaste Shampoo Conditioner Tampon/sanitary towel Deodorant
Dentifrice Shampooing Après-shampooing Tampon/serviette hygiéniqe Déodorant
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Contacts: Nathalie Cureau-Pillet Short-Term Programmes Manager TĂŠl. +33 (0) 380 725 979 nathalie.cureau-pillet@bsb-education.com Claire Richardson International Relations Intern TĂŠl: +33(0)380 725 979 programmes.courts@bsb-education.com
International Relations Office
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