Where to study IT - average French school, or one of the best in Poland ?

Hello!

I know this is a forum mostly for foreigners discussing the way Poland is, not necessarily for Polish people themselves. I have read some interesting discussions here, so I'd like to talk with people who have both knowledge of Poland and western European countries (in this case France, I guess).

Soo... My situation: I'm currently at exchange program in one of the engineering schools in France. Before, I have studied for two years at one of the top IT courses in Kraków. I think about staying in France, but at the same time I also think about coming back to Poland.

In my opinion, the French school I attend is a lot more richer than Polish one. They have a lot more toys, a lot more equipment than what we had in Poland. But also it's a lot less.. hm.. demanding ? For example professors do not require that we'd be on Travaux Diriges or Travaux Pratiques (equivalent to Polish "ćwiczenia" and "laboratoria", more or less). There are less courses per semester, (5-6, in Poland 7-8). And I think the knowledge required from us is not that high. Though instead of having few tests during the semester, and 3 attempts at passing an exam, there is only one middle exam and one final exam per course in the French school. Personally, I think it's better to demand more from students and give them more attempts to pass the exams, than to demand less and give less chances.

The other pluses of the particular French school: For two semesters, you go for paid inter ship. French companies are obligated to pay a minimal amount of money to interns, but it's usually only enough to cover cost of living. Less demanding studies mean more time to do stuff in your free time (for example your own projects, which can make you more attractive to potential employers). Also, you can choose your own courses.

The pluses of the Kraków's course ?: About 30-50% of students are able to find a part-time IT job during their third year of studies (The bachelor of engineering takes 7 semesters). More knowledge, but less free time. More theoretical approach - which I found helped me doing more practical courses in France.

And there are things related to living in France or Poland.

In France, without finding a part time job, I won't be able to have enough money for living. I can get support from my family, but I'd rather avoid that - this would cripple them a bit.

And even though in France people get paid a lot better than in Poland, I probably wouldn't be able to save money for future until I finish my studies and go to work 5d 8h. In Poland, if I'd manage to find a part-time job in IT, I could probably save up to 500PLN per month, which is like 125 euros.

And the last thing... If I return to Poland, I will probably have to extend my bachelor by one year, to do the courses I didn't do during the third year. Bachelor of Engineering in 4.5 years.. hm :/.

By staying in France, I could obtain their Ingénieur title, which is equivalent to Polish magister. That would mean staying 2 years here, and this title would be obtained in total 5 years.

So, my question is - what would you do in this situation ? Is there something else I should think about, which I don't know of ? If you have experience with Polish or French education system, could you share with your observations ?

If someone has any questions about the education system in Poland or France, I'll try to answer.

Have you asked in: forum.4programmers.net/Kariera

Every programmer will tell you that studies don't teach you programming, so it's more important what you do in your free time. Weather working part time or doing some projects with colleagues.

Did I understand correctly? If you stay in France to get french eng. degree you will have to study for total 5 years and if you go back to Poland then 4.5? It's not a big difference. IMHO go back to Poland if you want to work in Poland after graduating or stay in France if you prefer living in France. You can spend time of studying in France for improving your French and perhaps your French diploma will be worth more in France than Polish one.

Thanks for the reply.

I know, you're right. What you do in you spare time has a big importance, that's true. Though the studies force you sometimes to go outside your comfort zone, and I have to say, it's a good thing.

The difference between the degrees is that the French one is worth Polish's magister inżynier (Master of Engineering) , while the Polish one will be worth only inżynier (Bachelor of Engineering ?). There's an agreement between the Poland and France to honor each other's degrees, in case I'd like to go further. I know the degree doesn't mean much now in world of IT, but still there are companies that like people only with the master level.

I guess it depends if you are going to work in France or in Poland. I have no idea about IT market in France though.

Anyway, what is important it is not only a school alone but a quality of students. Group pressure and internal competition between students can do a lot good. So, my two cents would be to add to your optimisation vector a factor of quality of your colleagues in Poland and in France. I quess quality of a group in a top uni in Poland can be better than a quality of a group in average uni in France (even if international rankings would praise the latter more).

Anyway contacts made during studies can be one of the most valuable you will get in your life. Look around and see where are your future bussiness partners :)

@jwojcie

I guess that's true. I rather had more interesting conversations about code with people from that particular Polish school. But then again I might be limited with my not-so-good French.

Also, in opinion of one of the French guys, the IT course here isn't worse then IT course at one of the best public schools. This year they've got more applications from students who passed their A-levels (or better: baccalauréat) well.