“It was an experience I will never forget”: Rebecca Lindfors on a Paris intensive week

Intensive weeks are short, international study programmes that allow students to gain international experience in a short time frame by working closely with students from different countries. There are two types of intensive weeks: Blended Intensive Programmes organised by LAB, where participants travel to a LAB campus to study together with LAB students, and Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) organised by LAB’s partner institutions, where studies take place at the partner institution’s campus. All students can apply for intensive weeks, including first-year students, depending on the programme’s criteria.

They are a great opportunity for students to gain international experiences without committing to a long exchange period, while still progressing in their studies. During intensive weeks, students collaborate with LAB partner institutions and work in an intercultural environment with students from different countries. Rebecca’s intensive week took place in Paris at the IUT de Saint-Denis.

Why did you apply for an intensive week?

“I applied because I have always been interested in internationalisation during my studies, but didn’t want to go on longer exchanges. I heard from teachers about what an amazing experience intensive weeks are, which pushed me to look into them more. When I found out about the marketing competition intensive week in Paris, I decided right then and there that I was going. I want to work in marketing, like Paris as a city, and I am always up for some friendly competition, so the decision to apply was easy,” Lindfors stated.

Intensive weeks consist of both virtual and physical components, with the physical component lasting between 5 and 30 days depending on the programme. Students participating in Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are eligible to apply for an Erasmus grant, which helps cover travel and accommodation costs during the intensive week. Intensive weeks are offered in a wide range of fields and formats, from healthcare to business and from simulations to campaign-based projects.

How was the application process?

Lindfors noted that, “The application process was easy; all you had to do was choose the programme or programmes you want to attend, provide the necessary documents and write a short motivational essay. The whole thing took about one hour.”

Application periods open in autumn and spring, when students can choose from different intensive week programmes they would like to attend. Students are asked to rank the programmes they have selected in order of preference. Programmes may have special criteria that students must fulfil to apply; for example, certain courses may need to be completed. However, the chosen intensive week programme must correspond with your study field. Other criteria considered can include phase of study, language skills, or even your tutor teacher’s recommendation. Once a decision has been made, you will receive an email informing you whether you have been chosen and for which intensive week programme.

What happened during the intensive week?

“The whole week felt surreal, so much happened. We worked on the marketing simulation game during the day and explored the city during the evenings. However, on Wednesday and Thursday, we only worked until noon, and the local team took us to the top of the Eiffel Tower and on a river cruise on the Seine. The week was divided evenly with work and play, which I really enjoyed.”

What was the highlight of the Paris intensive week?

“The highlight of the week was meeting and collaborating with students from different countries. Everyone was open and welcoming. The overall atmosphere was extremely positive, which allowed us to work efficiently and, of course, spend time together exploring the city.”

Were there any challenges?

“When working with people from different cultural backgrounds, there will always be challenges; however, we were all able to consider our different teamworking styles and find a method that worked best for our group. Another challenge that we all faced was communicating with locals, as we didn’t speak the language, but most people spoke English well enough.”

During intensive weeks, students can immerse themselves in a new culture. This allows them not only to learn more about the intensive week’s topic but also about themselves. They learn to work in an international environment with students from different countries. Students will face unique challenges that help them gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, gaining insight into themselves as individuals and as students.

What do you want to say to students who are thinking about going on an intensive week?

"Apply! I highly recommend going on an intensive week for all students. I had such a good time during mine and would like to go on another one as well. The days might be long, but it was totally worth it. It was an experience I will never forget!"