College Registration

Ok so you've arrived in France or whatever country you're going to do your erasmus. You've found a place to live and you're about to show up on the first day for your registration. So what documents do you need? In France the following are required (and would be for most countries):

1. Acceptance letter from your chosen college/university
2. Photocopy of your EHIC card (European health card - previously referred to as the E111) or equivalent
3. Photocopy of third party insurance or equivalent
4. 2 passport sized photos for your college ID
5. 4 stamps (these were required in Paris - around 56 cents each)

If you don't have insurance do not run out and buy some at home, chances are you can get it cheaper at your destination. The insurance required in France for a college student is called 'l'assurance responsibilitè civile' and can be bought at a local LMDE (La Mutuelle Des Etudiants)or SMEREP near your college. If you go to your college they can give you a list of the nearest establishment in the area. These places offer insurance for students for between €14-€35 for the academic semester. It is important to make it clear to whoever you're dealing with that you want insurance for college only, otherwise they'll include house insurance in the deal and suddenly you're paying €90 for the package. Also note that most of these places do not deal in cash, they will only accept a credit card or cheque as payment.

For students going to ENSA Paris La Villette, here are the addresses I was given for the above insurance brokers:

-Matmut Assurances, 161 Rue Marcadet, 75018 METRO: Lamarck Caulaincourt (this is the nearest to the college)
-LMDE, 10 Rue de Linnè, 75005 RER A: Luxenbourg

If you are going to a college outside France, you're best bet to ensure you have everything for registration is to a) contact the college directly and find out, b) check out their website for the info or c) bring photocopies of everything:
-all that's listed above
-birth cert
-passport
-home university college ID
-medical insurance if you have any
-confirmation of address in your new host country
-registration forms that you filled out for the college earlier in the year
-all correspondance with the new college -emails, letters etc.

Finally don't stress if there are complications with your registration. It took me four days to get registered with my college, France is a terribly bureaucratic nation and all paper work takes time. Remember you are on Erasmus and the college professors at home and in your new college know this and will understand if things take you longer than normal to get sorted. Chill and enjoy the experience!!