Guide to Clermont-Ferrand and

SIGMA Clermont for students

Katyanne Farias
Professor at SIGMA Clermont
Coordinator of International Relations with Brazil and Portugal
Researcher at LIMOS Laboratory

Translated from the Guia de Clermont-Ferrand e SIGMA Clermont para estudantes (in
Portuguese). Some information is specific to Brazilian students. However, most of the
information is valid for students of all nationalities.

English proofread by David Turner, director of International Relations at SIGMA Clermont.

1st edition
March 2023
Summary
1. A little about Clermont-Ferrand ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Weather ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.2. Transport modes in the city ................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.1. Public transportation ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.2. Bikes ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.3. Leisure and sports activities................................................................................................................................... 7
1.3.1. Puy de Dôme and Puy Pariou ............................................................................................................................ 7
1.3.2. Lakes .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
1.3.3. Michelin Adventure ........................................................................................................................................... 8
1.3.4. Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival ................................................................................................................ 8
1.3.5. Spa and hot springs............................................................................................................................................ 8
1.3.6. Pools .................................................................................................................................................................. 9
1.3.7. Ski resorts .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.3.8. Kayaking on the Allier River ............................................................................................................................... 9
1.4. Stores and supermarkets ....................................................................................................................................... 9
1.4.1. Supermarkets..................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.4.2. Stores ............................................................................................................................................................... 10
1.5. Restaurants and bars ........................................................................................................................................... 10
2. Travels in Europe .......................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1. Transport modes between cities and countries ................................................................................................. 11
2.1.1. Train ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1.2. Bus ................................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.3. Car sharing trips ............................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.4. Car rental ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.1.5. Flight ................................................................................................................................................................ 12
2.1.6. Search sites ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2. Hotels and stay in Europe .................................................................................................................................... 13
3. Get to know SIGMA Clermont ...................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1. Higher education in France .................................................................................................................................. 14
3.2. SIGMA Courses..................................................................................................................................................... 14
3.2.1. Machines, Mécanismes et Systèmes (MMS) .................................................................................................... 14
3.2.2. Ingénierie des Structures et des Matériaux (ISM) ............................................................................................ 15
3.2.3. Ingénierie des Produits de SAnté et COsmétiques (IPSACO) ............................................................................ 15
3.2.4. Procédés et Systèmes Industriels (PSI) ............................................................................................................. 16

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 3.3. Organization of disciplines at SIGMA ................................................................................................................... 16
3.4. Engineering Internship in France ......................................................................................................................... 17
4. What to do while still in my home country? ................................................................................................................ 17
4.1. Frequently asked questions about documents and the application process ...................................................... 18
4.1.1. Health insurance .............................................................................................................................................. 18
4.1.2. Housing insurance ........................................................................................................................................... 18
4.1.3. Travel Insurance............................................................................................................................................... 18
4.1.4. Responsabilité civile ......................................................................................................................................... 18
4.1.5. Translations ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
4.1.6. Choice of course .............................................................................................................................................. 19
4.1.7. Learning Agreement ........................................................................................................................................ 19
4.1.8. Filling out the form on MoveOn ...................................................................................................................... 19
4.1.9. Housing ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
4.2. A few tips ............................................................................................................................................................. 20
4.2.1. Contacts with former students ........................................................................................................................ 20
4.2.2. Arrival period and airport ................................................................................................................................ 20
4.2.3. Packing Tips ..................................................................................................................................................... 21
References ............................................................................................................................................................................ 21

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1. A little about Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a city in central France located in the
Massif Central and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is the
historic capital of Auvergne and the capital of the Puy-de-
Dôme department.

Clermont-Ferrand is France's 22nd most extensive

municipality, with about 145,000 inhabitants in 2019.
"Greater Clermont-Ferrand" comprised about 275,000
inhabitants in 2019. Among the inhabitants of Clermont,
40,000 are students, representing a quarter of the municipal
population, and 6,000 are researchers. Many countries
consider it a small town, but for France, we can say this is a Figure 1. Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption of Clermont
medium-sized city.

Clermont-Ferrand is also home to Michelin, one of the two largest tire manufacturers in the world, and is well-
positioned in the pharmaceutical, food, and aviation industries.

The city is located near the Limagne fault line and the Puys mountain chain, a natural site classified since July 2018 as
a "tectonic high" on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Figure 2. Puy Pariou and Puy de Dôme

1.1. Weather
Unlike in tropical regions, the year's seasons are well-defined in France. This can be strange initially for people who are not
used to it. But don't worry! You will adapt very quickly. You just need to know what the average weather is like when you
arrive here so that you will have the right clothes on your arrival. Here then, is the climate for each period of the year.

 From July to September: summer period. It is very hot during this time of the year, with temperatures varying on
average between 25 and 30 degrees. But beware, the temperature can reach up to 40 degrees! The climate is dry,
so the thermal sensation is slightly better than in tropical regions. Because the climate is dry, you may not feel very
thirsty. Therefore, it is crucial to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Many people also carry thermal water
sprays in their handbags to relieve the heat on hot days. During this period, the days are longer: the sun rises around
6:30 am and sets around 10 pm.
 From September to November: Autumn period. During this period, the temperature varies on average between 10
and 20 degrees. The temperature usually fluctuates a lot, so it is not yet the time to put away all your summer
clothes. It is also a time of strong winds. Mid-season jackets and closed shoes are sufficient for the cold of this

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 period. It is important not to forget to take a coat when leaving the house because the temperature can also vary
significantly during the day.
 From December to February: winter period. In winter, the temperatures stay around zero degrees and can even be
negative, and the mountains are covered with snow. It usually snows in the city as well. For the adventurous and
sporty, there are ski resorts near Clermont. In Section 1.3.7 skiing will be presented as a possible leisure and sport
activity. As you can imagine, it is important to wrap up warmly. For those of you from warm regions, it is worth
buying winter clothes here if you are arriving in France during the hot season. In Section 1.4.2 we will present some
tips for clothing stores. For those who feel very cold, it is possible to wear thermal clothing underneath (pants and
a long-sleeved blouse), thick socks (ski socks, for example), gloves, a cap, and a scarf.
 From March to June: the spring period. Spring is the return of warmth and sunshine. The temperatures fluctuate a
lot in spring, as in autumn, and can vary from 10 to 20 degrees. The gardens are in bloom, the trees have green
leaves again... it is a wonderful season. The weather is similar to autumn, but with less wind and more sunny days.

1.2. Transport modes in the city

1.2.1. Public transportation
Every city in France has a company responsible for transportation. The cities usually have bus and tram lines, and larger cities
also have subways. Each stop has a name and the direction the line is going (usually the name of the last stop on the line in
the desired direction). The city of Clermont has a tram line (Line A), more frequent and larger bus lines (lines B and C), other
bus lines (3 to 37), a night bus (BEN), and some buses to tourist attractions in the area (navettes). The night bus runs between
1 am and 4 am, when the other buses do not run, in a circular pattern. It runs during the school year, usually between
September and June. The lines are well connected, so it is possible, fast and easy to go anywhere in the city using public
transportation.

Usually, the transport company provides an app with the timetable of the modes of transport at the stops, suggestions for
routes, etc. In the case of Clermont, the company is called T2C. Below is the transportation company's website, where we
can simulate going from one place to another and have access to the possibilities of transportation: https://www.t2c.fr/.

Let's simulate, for example, going from downtown Clermont (Jaude stop) to the Campus stop where SIGMA Clermont is
located. Remember that it is also possible to put the address of the location instead of the name of the stops.

Figure 3. Path search simulation on the T2C website

Figure 4 presents the following times when tram A (the only option given) is scheduled to pass. Figure 5 shows the map with
the path to be traveled.

To confirm if the predicted time matches the real-time at the moment of the search, it is possible to access the time that the
transport mode will pass at a particular stop through the T2C application (see Figure 6). This information is the same as
available on the panels of the stops.

Clermont's public transportation also appears on Google Maps. In addition, there is the website and app
that works well both in Clermont and in many other cities in Europe: https://moovitapp.com/clermontferrand-3735/poi/en-
gb.

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Figure 4. Time of passage of the above simulation

Figure 6. Simulation path Figure 5. Timetable of tram A passing by the

Jaude stop at the time of the survey
But you have to be careful with the schedules given by moovit because, in some
cases, there is a difference, even if small, with the real-time.

As for the tram and bus tickets...

You can buy single tickets that can be recharged in a contactless paper card (€0.20 when purchasing a rechargeable paper
card) at the bus stop vending machines or by SMS (send TICKET to the number 93001; the value will come in your cell phone
bill), each costing 1.60€. It is also possible to recharge this paper card with a set of 10 individual tickets for €15. After
validation, the ticket is valid for 1h10, and it is possible to change buses/trams during this period using the same ticket. There
is also a ticket valid for 24 hours that costs 5.30€. Oh, and don't forget that public transport in Clermont is free on
weekends!

But for those who will stay longer in Clermont, and I imagine that is your case, the most economic option is to take out a
subscription (which can be monthly or annual) and be able to use unlimited public transportation during the validity period
of the subscription. For this, it is necessary to get a T2C card that costs 2€. See details on the site: https://www.t2c.fr/la-
carte-oura-ou-modepass. Then, you can recharge your T2C card at the T2C distributors or T2C agencies. You can choose the
monthly subscription, which costs 28.80€ for those under 26 years old (60€ for others), or the annual subscription, which
costs 280€ for those under 26 years old (600€ for others). Individual tickets can also be recharged on your T2C card.

Please note it is possible to get discounts on T2C plans if you are a scholarship holder or receive aid from CAF. Therefore,
I suggest you check the websites https://www.t2c.fr/tarification-solidair and https://usine.crous-clermont.fr/cnous/lespace-
accueil-etudiants/. You should schedule an appointment by sending an e-mail service-social@crous-clermont.fr to submit
the documents that will enable you to receive a statement from CROUS stating your right to receive the reduction in T2C
transportation plans. Detailed information, as well as a list of required documents, is available on the above websites.
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These are some tips given in the guide made by BRASA Clermont:

 Scholarship holders from CAPES generally get the rate of 4.10€/month.

 The administrative process can take a long time - up to 2 months if there are many people in the queue. It is best to
get it done as soon as possible once you arrive in Clermont.
 After one year, the reduction expires, and you must renew it by performing the same procedure as before.
 The period for sending in your dossier for review ends in February - if you haven't sent your dossier by then, you
should wait until the start of the new school year in September.

I also suggest contacting former international students to find out how they proceeded before getting a subscription.

1.2.2. Bikes
Clermont has a bike share system. The bikes are located at various stations throughout the city of Clermont, and you can
pick up a bike from one station and drop it off at another. For this, you can subscribe to an annual plan or take the bike for
just one day or a week. Previously the annual plan was €25. The good news is that this amount is paid to Cvelo by Clermont
Auvergne Métropole, and you pay nothing if you choose the annual plan. You can sign up for the annual plan (free) on this
website: https://www.c-velo.fr/velos-en-libre-service/

You need to be aware that once you pick up a bike, you have 30 minutes to leave it at any city bike station. If you exceed this
time, you will pay a fee for each additional half hour.

1.3. Leisure and sports activities

Clermont-Ferrand is rich in cultural activities and nature sports. The following describes some sights, festivals, places to visit
in the city, etc.

The Service Universitaire des Activités Physiques et Sportives (SUAPS) offers various sports activities for the city's students,
such as judo, dance and volleyball. More information about the activities, schedules and enrollment can be found at:
https://suaps.uca.fr.

With a territory full of natural beauty and former home to several now dormant volcanoes, the Auvergne region is excellent
for the famous randonnées, or hikes! It might be worth talking to someone who has hiked the trail before. Don't forget to
bring plenty of water, food, and warm clothing, as it is often cooler at altitude.

1.3.1. Puy de Dôme and Puy Pariou

An emblematic volcano of the Chaîne des Puys, the Puy de Dôme (see Figure 2) is an iconic site of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes
region, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2, 2018. The highest point of the Chaîne des Puys, the Puy de Dôme
offers exceptional views of the dormant volcanoes and their perfect alignment.

Puy de Dôme is accessible all year round by train. The Panoramique des Dômes train takes you to the summit in 15 minutes
and reveals an exceptional panorama. The departure station is in the town of Orcines, below the volcano.

Two trails also allow hikers to reach the summit of Puy de Dôme: the Chemin des Muletiers and the Chemin des Chèvres. On
foot or by train, Puy de Dôme is accessible all year round!

Puy de Dôme is also an amazing place for free-flight activities such as paragliding and hang gliding.

A city bus connects, for a standard price, the Panoramique des Dômes station with the center of Clermont
(https://www.panoramiquedesdomes.fr/page/comment-venir).

Puy Pariou (see Figure 2) is also accessible from a trail that begins at Panoramique des Dômes. It was formed by the
superposition of two strombolian cones. This gave rise to three lava flows during its eruptive history. It is also historically the
emblem of Volvic water.

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1.3.2. Lakes
The region around Clermont has several lakes, some of volcanic origin, that provide beautiful views during the winter
and a great program to escape the heat during the summer. Here are some of our tips:

Plan d’eau de Cournon d’Auvergne: closest lake to

Clermont, 20 minutes by bus from the center. Typical
summer resort, very popular in summer, next to the
Allier River. It has a great infrastructure, campground
and restaurant.

Figure 6. Cournon d’Auvergne

Lac d'Aydat: beautiful lake that is 20 km from Clermont. However,

it is not accessible by bus or tram lines. It is a very busy lake in the
summer, with excellent infrastructure, restaurant, restrooms,
sailing boat rental, pedal boats, Stand Up Paddle, etc. There is a
campground nearby, and on the other side of the main shore, there
is a naturist beach.
Figure 8. Lac Pavin

Figure 7. Lac d’Ayat

Lac Pavin: Although prohibited for bathing, it is one of the most
beautiful lakes in the region. Formed 7,000 years ago by the crater of
a volcano, Lac Pavin provides an excellent setting for a hike. However,
it is also not accessible by public transportation.

1.3.3. Michelin Adventure

Michelin museum in the city tells a little of the history of the company that helped create Clermont-Ferrand. Especially
interesting for motoring enthusiasts. More information at: https://laventure.michelin.com/.

1.3.4. Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival

The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (https://clermont-filmfest.org/en/) is considered by some to be the
most important short film festival in the world, the equivalent of Cannes for shorts. It usually takes place in early February
and, besides presenting numerous films, it also animates the city with parties and associated events.

1.3.5. Spa and hot springs

The Auvergne region is known for its hot springs, since it is located near
a chain of former volcanoes. As such, some spas have affordable
packages to spend time relaxing in hot springs, saunas, jacuzzis, etc. One
of them is the Royatonic (https://www.royatonic.com/), located in
Royat, which is right next to Clermont and is accessible by bus. It is ideal
for winter when you can stay warm in the outdoor pools. Access to the
"bathing area" for a duration of 2h30 costs just over 20 euros. Booking
is recommended, especially if you wish to go during the weekend.

Figure 9. Royatonic

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1.3.6. Pools
The public swimming pools in Clermont-Ferrand are great for those who want to swim or just relax. Payment is per
admission, but there are subscription packages for the more assiduous. One of these is the Stade Nautique Pierre-de-
Coubertin (https://www.clermontmetropole.eu/bouger-se-divertir/lexcellence-sportive/piscines/stade-nautique-
pierre-de-coubertin/).

1.3.7. Ski resorts

As a good mountain region in Europe, Auvergne offers various skiing options during the winter. The two closest resorts to
Clermont are Super Besse and Mont-Dore. During the first months of the year, SUAPS also provides very low-priced trips,
including entrance fees and transport. To go skiing, you must have the appropriate clothing (waterproof jacket, pants and
gloves, winter socks, thermal clothing, etc.). You can rent ski equipment (ski or snowboard, boots, helmet and poles) in the
resort. If you are going for the first time, you should ideally be accompanied by a professional or someone who can teach
you. Some resorts are close to Clermont, although only accessible by car.

Figure 10. Mont Dore

Figure 11. Super Besse

 Super Besse is a ski resort located in the Auvergne mountains, about 1 hour from Clermont. It offers a variety of
slopes for all levels, from beginner to expert.
 The Mont Dore ski resort is one of the top ski destinations in the Auvergne region. It is in the Massif Central, a
mountain range stretching across much of central and southern France. Mont Dore offers excellent skiing and
snowboarding conditions, with various slopes for all skill levels.

1.3.8. Kayaking on the Allier River

On the Allier River, it is possible to kayak without necessarily having had
previous experience. You can rent a kayak from sites such as https://canoe-
valdallier.com/en/. You drive to the site, and they take you to the starting point
with the kayak. Several routes of different distances are proposed.

1.4. Stores and supermarkets

Here are some tips for shopping places: supermarkets, electronics stores, Figure 12. Kayak on Allier River

clothing, etc.

1.4.1. Supermarkets
Clermont-Ferrand has dozens of markets and supermarkets, so you always have something nearby. Important:
supermarkets, as well as commerce in general, are usually closed on Sundays, so plan well for shopping. Another tip is that
usually, the bigger supermarkets have lower prices, even when comparing stores from the same chain. The main
supermarkets are:

 Leclerc: supermarket chain where you can find everything. The large Leclerc is located near the La Pardieu train
station and is accessible via tram. It generally has attractive prices.

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  Auchan: another chain of supermarkets spread throughout the city. Auchan Plein Sud, in Aubière, has a Portuguese
food aisle where you can also find some Brazilian items – flour for cheese bread, guaraná antártica, guava paste,
etc. It is worth checking out!
 Carrefour: well known in several countries, and has several branches in the city. The "Market" Carrefours stay open
a little later than the other supermarkets but can be a bit more expensive.
 Lidl: supermarket chain that usually has low prices, although the quality of the products can sometimes be inferior
compared to other supermarkets.
 Les Produits du Portugal: Portuguese supermarket, a little away from the center, but accessible by bus. There you
will find Brazilian products, such as picanha, guaraná, guava paste, cuscus (from corn), chicken hearts, erva-mate
Barão, polvilho, manioc flour, etc. However, not all products are always available.

1.4.2. Stores
Here are some general shopping tips. Many of the stores are in the Centre Commercial Jaude, a shopping center in the city's
center. The country goes into a sales (soldes) period a few times a year, with promotions in almost all stores.

 HEMA: a store where you can find just about everything. Great for small purchases for the home and stationery. It
generally has very affordable prices.
 FNAC: is complete, especially for electronic products. However, it is usually a bit more expensive. It is worth keeping
an eye out for promotions.
 Amazon: This is usually a good option for many products because of its lower prices. France offers delivery at "points
relais", in stores offering this service. At the time of purchase, you will have a list of options. Delivery at these points
is usually cheaper than home delivery. Once the product is delivered, you are notified by e-mail or SMS, and you
have more flexibility to pick up the product later.
 Decathlon: great for buying winter clothes and sportswear, backpacks, skates, etc.
 H&M, C&A and Kiabi: clothing stores with affordable prices.
 Zara and Mango: clothing stores, generally a bit more expensive, but with higher quality products. It is worth
keeping an eye out for promotions.
 IKEA: store selling affordable furniture and home equipment, such as bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. Although it is
far from the center, it is accessible via bus.
 LeBonCoin.fr: website where people put used things for sale. You can find bicycles, electronics, and even apartments
for rent directly from the owner (but in this case, watch out for possible fraud).

1.5. Restaurants and bars

Some restaurants and bars are a trademark of Clermont-Ferrand. Here are some places you should not miss, for the excellent
food or the nightlife.

 Crêperie Le 1513: a crêperie where the crêpes are elaborate and made with local products. The building was
constructed in 1513, hence the name. It looks like a basement, and it is a lovely restaurant.
 Le Compt(o)ir: If you like meat, you should not miss Le Compt(o)ir. The restaurant frequently changes its menu
according to the chef's mood. But the accompaniment to all dishes is always truffade, a typical local dish made
basically of potatoes and cheese (tomme fraîche du cantal). Here you will find one of the best truffades of Clermont.
The dishes are not very cheap, but the portions are generous, equivalent to two meals (and they even offer to make
up a small box for you to take home what is left).
 Delirium Café: is a well-known Belgian brewery, and besides Belgian beers, it has a variety of other European and
local beers. The night starts and ends early, usually from 6 pm until 1 am. It is frequented by all age groups, students,
tourists and locals.
 Le Café Pascal: is located in Place de La Victoire and is ideal for watching a game of rugby and soccer or having a
late afternoon beer at the outdoor tables during the summer. It closes between midnight and 1 am and serves good
beer and meals.
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  Hacienda Café: large Spanish pub and restaurant, open from 9am to 2am. It has great drinks and food. On Fridays,
there are dances with Caribbean rhythms. Favorite place for Latinos in Clermont. Entry is free.
 Caveau de La Michodière: a Jazz cellar, it is a great place for lovers of the highest quality live music and does justice
to the Clermontoise tradition in this style of music. There are paid and free events, and the schedule can be found
on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/lecaveaudelamichodiere/).

2. Travels in Europe
2.1. Transport modes between cities and countries
2.1.1. Train
It is very easy and convenient to go by train to most cities in Europe. Although it is generally more expensive than going by
bus, some advantages include comfort, a lower risk of delays, and generally shorter travel time compared to bus and car,
etc. If the ticket is purchased in advance, it can be cheaper than a bus ticket. For example, train tickets (Intercités) go from
Clermont to Paris for just over 20€. It is possible to get to Clermont train station by bus or walk there from the city center.

Searching for and buying train tickets in France can be done at https://www.sncf-connect.com/. Some trains go from France
to other countries such as Switzerland and Italy. Some cities in France offer low-cost high-speed trains (Ouigo), with prices
starting at 10€. You can search for and buy Ouigo tickets at https://www.ouigo.com/ or on the SNCF website.

SNCF proposes discount cards on the fares available for some categories, namely:

 Carte Avantage Jeune (from 12 to 27 years old): For €49, this card is valid for one year and offers discounts of, on
average, 30% off the price of SNCF train tickets.
 Carte Avantage Adulte (from 27 to 59 years old): For €49, this card is valid for one year and offers discounts of, on
average, 30% off the price of SNCF train tickets for the holder and one companion over the age of 12.
 MAX JEUNE (from 16 to 27 years old): monthly plan value of 79€, allowing the reservation with a maximum of one
month in advance, as well as the cancellation of tickets at no additional cost to the value of the plan within the limit
of available seats for that reservation category. You must make the plan for at least 3 months. After this period, the
plan can be canceled for a fee of 15€.

Also, for people who work in neighboring cities, it is possible to take out a monthly subscription restricted to a specific origin-
destination route, which is usually cheaper than buying individual tickets.

Details about the plans and discount cards are available at https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/catalogue. Please note that
in August through September, these discount cards usually have a promotional value of €25.

2.1.2. Bus
Two main long-distance bus companies operate between different cities and countries: Flixbus (https://www.flixbus.fr/) and
Blablabus (https://www.blablacar.com.br/bus), which is the former Ouibus and was bought by Blablacar. Both companies
have great prices and are even better when tickets are purchased in advance. But beware, delays due to traffic and other
unforeseen events occur quite often. So if your arrival time is critical, it is better to anticipate possible delays. It is essential
to know that if there is a change of bus in the middle of the trip, and the first one is delayed, it is the company's responsibility
to get you to your destination if the whole trip has been bought in a single ticket.

In Clermont, Flixbus and Blablabus buses arrive and depart from the Gare Routière (bus station) located at Les Salins square,
next to the Maison de la Culture tram stop. From Saturday from 8 pm until Sunday at 2 pm, because of the fair that takes
place inside the bus station, the travel buses arrive and depart from the Salins Pasteur stop, located outside the bus station.

2.1.3. Car sharing trips

Already known to some people, https://www.blablacar.fr/ is a website for sharing car trips. The driver adds the day, route
and price of the trip. You can request the trip purchase for just you or more than one person. In some cases, the purchase is
Katyanne Farias 11
automatic. In others, it requires the driver's validation. Payment is made through the site in a very secure way. Each driver
has a score, the average of the scores given by former passengers and comments from former passengers. All this is visible
even before you order the trip. You can also communicate via the website with the driver to arrange details such as
meeting/drop-off point, if you need trunk space, etc. This contact can be made before or after you order the trip. After the
purchase, you can access the driver's number and communicate with him/her by phone. You can also request that the trip
be canceled before departure, but this will incur a penalty depending on how far in advance you cancel. In addition, you can
also register as a driver and offer trips on the Blablacar site.

This transport mode is advantageous since it can take unconventional routes/times and is faster than buses.

2.1.4. Car rental

As explained in the guide of BRASA Clermont, renting a car can be a great option to get to know the area around Clermont-
Ferrand, which is magnificent and full of secrets, but sometimes difficult to access by public transport. In addition, it can be
an excellent option for traveling in a group. Whether you want to go skiing, hiking in the Puy de Dôme during the winter,
travel or visit neighboring towns, a car can be a great help, and if shared with friends, it is not that expensive.

But to rent a car, you first need to be aware of the driving regulations in France. As explained by BRASA, Brazilians are
allowed to drive with the Brazilian driver's license CNH, with no requirement for the Permissão Internacional para Dirigir
(PID). However, for Brazilians, French law requires the driver to have an official translation of the driver's license in French
(or the PID), as shown in this link: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1459. It is also important to note
that the law in France stipulates that many foreigners can drive with their driver's license up to 6 months after their arrival,
or up to 1 year if they have a visa or while they have a valid student visa. Therefore, students from many countries can drive
in France during the entire period of their studies. You must always have your passport and resident permit.

After the expiration of the student visa for Brazilians, a period of one year is given if the person wishes to request the
exchange of the Brazilian driver's license for the French one. After this period, it will be necessary to go through the standard
process of getting a French driver's license, which is expensive.

For other nationalities, look for information on the French government websites.

Car rental agencies and applications

Among the car rental agencies, renting through Leclerc is a good option for those who want to make a multi-day trip and
leave the car a bit idle in different cities. They charge a fixed low rate per day, and the total price is based on the mileage
traveled. Here is the site where you can simulate the cost of a car rental: https://www.location.leclerc/.

Before choosing where to rent, you can also simulate other agencies such as Rentalcars (https://www.rentalcars.com/fr/),
Sixt (https://www.sixt.fr/), and Hertz (https://www.hertz.fr/).

Another option is to rent a car from a person via secure apps. These work like a car Airbnb, where a car owner advertises his
car for rent for a specific period and may or may not accept rental requests. Renting through these apps is usually cheaper
and has some advantages, such as picking up the car close to your home (when available) and renting it at an unconventional
time and day, such as during the night or on holidays. You must have a good profile presentation and explain the reason for
renting the car to have a greater chance of getting your rental car request accepted through these applications. OuiCar
(https://www.ouicar.fr/) and Getaround (formerly Drivy, https://fr.getaround.com/) are the best-known peer-to-peer rental
car website in France. Don't forget to ask someone with an account for a signup code to get a bonus.

2.1.5. Flight
Air travel is an excellent option in Europe, especially if tickets are purchased in advance. Flying in Europe is, most of the time,
cheap. Clermont has a small airport from which some direct flights depart. The destinations for flights from Clermont are
Porto (by the low-cost company RyanAir), Paris and Corsica.

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Since there aren't many options from Clermont, I suggest you search for flights from other airports, such as Paris and Lyon.
In Section 4.2.2 I explain simple ways to get to Clermont from the airports. Be aware of flights leaving from airports further
away from Paris city, such as the airport in Beauvais, as it may not be easy to get from this airport during non-business hours.

Other airport options are those in Marseille, Montpellier, Barcelona, and Milan. Although these airports are further away,
the tickets can be significantly cheaper, and it is advantageous to travel to them (by bus, for example) and then go to the
airport and take a flight. It is important to know the travel time between the city and the airport and anticipate possible
delays in transport mode, especially if it is a bus. Remember also to take into account the costs of getting to the airport.

Flights from low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, Transavia and EasyJet are usually cheaper. But beware, checked luggage is
hardly ever included in the initial price of the ticket. Sometimes even cabin luggage is not included. Be aware of this when
you buy your ticket.

Many airlines also require that you check in online in advance. And there may be fees for airport check-in.

2.1.6. Search sites

A good search site to compare prices for different transport modes is Omio (https://www.omio.com). To search and
compare the prices of different airlines, you can use Google Fights (https://www.google.com/travel/flights). Skyscanner
(https://www.skyscanner.fr/) is also a great flight search site that allows you to compare the price of several companies.
Remember to confirm the ticket price directly on the website of the company you want to fly with, as there can be significant
differences between the prices shown by the search engines and the actual prices.

2.2. Hotels and stay in Europe

The best option is always to stay with a friend living in another city or country. But you can book a hotel or someone's house
if you don't know anyone in that city. You may have heard of Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.fr/). It is a website where someone
proposes a room or the entire residence to be rented for a certain period of time. Booking and payment are made through
this site. The place has an average rating on the site, given by people who have already rented the place, as well as comments
about previous experiences. This brings greater security at the time of booking.

If you are traveling alone, a cheaper option might be to stay in a hostel. In this case, you rent a bed in a shared room with
other people. Usually, there is a locker for you to store your things safely. You can search for and book a hostel on the
Hostelworld website (https://www.hostelworld.com).

Besides these two options, there is also the well-known Booking (https://www.booking.com). There you can make
reservations for hotels, hostels, apartments, etc.

3. Get to know SIGMA Clermont

SIGMA Clermont is a French public engineering school. It was created in 2016 by merging the Institut Français de Mécanique
Avancée (IFMA) and the École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand (ENSCCF). In 2021 it became part of the
Institut National Polytechnique Clermont-Auvergne (Clermont Auvergne INP), which brings together SIGMA Clermont, the
Institut d'Informatique d'Auvergne (ISIMA) and the École Polytechnique Universitaire de Clermont-Auvergne (Polytech
Clermont).

After the creation of Clermont INP, some activities previously managed individually by each institute member are now
managed by Clermont INP. This is the case with the management of some aspects of international relations, like institutional
agreements, project applications, financial management, etc. The coordination of each country, which involves relations and
exchange of information with students, remains specific to each institute. SIGMA Clermont manages all of their classes, and
most teachers are from SIGMA.

SIGMA Clermont has two major fields of education and research: mechanics and chemistry. There are, on average, 950
engineering students and 90 doctoral students in the school. Each year around 260 students graduate from SIGMA and
Katyanne Farias 13
receive a master’s degree (diplôme d’ingénieur). It has around 60 researchers on staff. Numerous agreements with
universities worldwide facilitate the mandatory minimum 16-week study abroad program for all domestic students. In
addition, there are several partnerships with companies such as Michelin and Sanofi.

3.1. Higher education in France

Before going into detail about the courses proposed by SIGMA, it is essential to detail the education system in French
universities. There are two main types of higher education: initial and continuing education.

 Initial education: the student completes a course of study that leads to a diploma, which can be either classical or
alternance. In classical education, there are periods in which the student must do internships. In alternance, the
student is simultaneously connected to a company and alternates between periods of classes and periods of work.
 Continuing education: allows a person who has a job or is looking for a job to take classes to acquire new skills or
change the area of expertise.

Existing partnerships between SIGMA and international institutions allow students selected by their home university to
be enrolled at SIGMA in initial classical education.

In the case of engineering schools, most courses have a total duration of 5 years. However, this qualification is divided into
two years of the basic cycle or licence years (L1 and L2), and 3 years of the engineering cycle (L3, M1 and M2). M1 and M2
are also called master years. In most cases, one can consider that a master in engineering in France is equivalent to an
undergraduate education.

There are several ways for a student to gain access to an engineering degree: through a baccalaureate competition, in which
case the student follows a 5-year program; after 2 years of preparatory classes and then competitive entrance exams; after
the analysis of a dossier from a B.T.S, D.U.T or a licence; after a master 1 or when the student is enrolled in the second year
of another engineering degree.

In most French educational institutions, the specific course is almost always chosen at the end of the first 3 years of study
(L3), as is the case at SIGMA. The following are the courses (called orientations) divided by categories (called domaines) at
SIGMA Clermont.

3.2. SIGMA Courses

Mechanical and chemical engineering students must choose one of the proposed orientations divided into domaines at the
end of L3 (semesters 5 and 6). The same domaine may have possible orientations to be chosen by both mechanical and
chemical engineering students. Additional Management, Economics and Languages classes are common to the different
domaines. If the student is enrolled in a dual degree, in some cases it is possible to take, in the second year of the dual
degree, a one-year master degree from the Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA) in parallel to the SIGMA courses, thus
obtaining another diploma in addition to the SIGMA engineering degree. More details will be provided throughout the
academic program at SIGMA. The domaines are described below, and, for each domaine, the existing orientations are
labelled to show which engineering field they belong to (mechanical: or chemical: ).

3.2.1. Machines, Mécanismes et Systèmes (MMS)

This domaine has orientations only in mechanical engineering and aims to train engineers capable of designing, controlling
and optimizing the performance of complex mechanical systems and manufacturing processes. Thus, this domaine has
disciplines covering:
- The design, simulation, dimensioning, and analysis of the actual behavior of machines, mechanisms, and
mechatronic systems.
- How to formalize and protect the innovation chain of mechatronic mechanisms and systems.
- Industrialization methods that integrate constraints related to processes, products, and materials.

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 - The control of machines, mechanisms, and mechatronic systems through modeling, identification, control, and
sensor integration.
- The choice of materials for specific applications.
- The design and dimensioning of mechanical structures so that they are reliable and robust.
- The consideration of sustainable development aspects in the design of materials and structures.
Orientations

 Procédés de Fabrication et Industrialisation

 Systèmes Mécaniques Innovants
 Systèmes mécatroniques et robotiques
 Innovative Mechanisms and Robots (in English)
People with a degree in this course can work, for example, with the following responsibilities:
- Engineering design - mechanical or mechatronic design
- Process Industrialization Engineer
- Research and Development Engineer
- Test Engineer - Prototyping
- Modeling Engineer - Calculation
- Systems Integration Engineer
- Etc.

3.2.2. Ingénierie des Structures et des Matériaux (ISM)

This domaine has mechanical and chemical orientations and aims to train engineers capable of choosing and designing
materials and structures. The professional with this qualification is also able to design and dimension reliable and robust
mechanical structures, considering sustainable development aspects in the design of materials and structures.
Orientations

 Conception des Structures et Fiabilité

 Matériaux Innovants et Durable
 Mechanics and Materials for Sustainable Engineering
 Matériaux Hautes Performances
People with a degree in this course can work, for example, with the following responsibilities:
- Materials Engineer - Modeling & Design
- Materials Engineer - Measurement and Testing
- Maintenance engineer - durability of materials
- Structural calculation engineer - modeling, optimal and reliable design
- Structural Engineer - Measurements and Testing
- Maintenance engineer - structural durability
- Etc.

3.2.3. Ingénierie des Produits de SAnté et COsmétiques (IPSACO)

This domaine has orientations only in chemistry and aims to train engineers capable of designing, characterizing, developing,
and elaborating new bioactive compounds and/or plant extracts for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or cosmetic use, with
respect to economic and environmental constraints. Professionals with this degree will be able to:
- Control and validate the quality of raw materials and finished products for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food
industries.
- Implement, control, and validate the production of active ingredients and/or plant extracts.

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 - Implement a Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental management approach.

Orientations
 Chimie Fine et Pharmaceutique
 Ingrédients Naturels Actifs
People with a degree in this course can work, for example, with the following responsibilities:
- Process Industrialization Engineer
- Research and Development Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- Design Engineer - Project Manager
- Etc.

3.2.4. Procédés et Systèmes Industriels (PSI)

This domaine has mechanical and chemical engineering orientations and aims to train engineers capable of:
- Understanding the basic principles that govern production systems for goods or services through the modeling,
analysis, robotization, and automation of industrialization processes and methods.
- Designing and modeling the management and operation of complex systems, such as manufacturing processes
and/or systems for producing goods and services.
- Developing and managing industrial and logistics systems.
- Piloting cross-functional projects related to production and processes, such as continuous improvement,
maintenance, quality, and safety.
- Optimizing methodologies and techniques for understanding the operation of complex systems, such as production
systems for goods or services and continuous or discrete manufacturing processes.
Orientations

 Systèmes Industriels et Logistiques

 Organisation et Pilotage de la Production
 Génie des Procédés et Energétiques
People with a degree in this course can work, for example, with the following responsibilities:
- Production Manager
- Quality Safety Environment Manager
- Consulting Engineer
- Industrialization Engineer
- Logistics Engineer
- Business Engineer
- Etc.

3.3. Organization of disciplines at SIGMA

Starting in semester 7, in all subjects at SIGMA, students are assessed using a continuous assessment system. This means
that students take several tests throughout the semester, and there is no retake test at the end of the semester. For a subject
of 20 hours or more, a minimum of 3 exams are given. The grade for an exam must be reported before the following
evaluation. The students have the right to consult their exam and try to understand their mistakes so as not to make them
again. Therefore, students should arrive at SIGMA prepared and with a good level of French, knowing that they will be taking
tests quickly.

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The list of subjects in each orientation can be identified in the course program (maquette pédagogique), available in the
documents attached to this guide (link in the references). The teacher responsible for each course must provide a syllabus
describing the content, prerequisites and tests of the course in question. These are available on the SIGMA intranet. Since
access to the intranet is only possible with the institution's e-mail, the syllabus has been made available on my personal
drive, with a link described in the reference of this guide. The syllabus is important for validating the courses when returning
to the home university. Some syllabus items may be missing, in which case they can be requested directly from the person
responsible for the course (identified in the maquette).

3.4. Engineering Internship in France

In the last three years of higher education at SIGMA, one internship per year is planned. Exchange students generally arrive
at SIGMA starting in the seventh semester. Therefore, the dual degree student will be expected to do an internship in
semester 8 (2A internship) and another in semester 10 (3A internship). What is expected in each of these internships is
described below.

2A Internship: this internship should allow the student to discover the world of research integrated into a project or to
participate in a technical study as a member of a project team, providing results that minimize costs, delivery times, etc.,
and respect the required quality levels. It lasts at least 15 weeks with 35h/week in a company or research lab. It must be
carried out between May and September, but it may vary slightly according to the academic calendar.

3A Internship: this internship allows the student to put into practice an industrial and real problem of significant dimensions,
using the skills acquired during the classes, in addition to deepening knowledge in particular fields related to those taught.
The student will be required to obtain a concrete result within a non-negotiable deadline and will improve his/her
management skills. It lasts at least 22 weeks with 35 hours/week in a company or research lab. It must be taken between
March and September, but it may vary slightly according to the academic calendar.

The search for an internship should start early and is the student's responsibility. It is common and relatively easy to change
cities during the internship period. Therefore, the student should not just look for internship positions in Clermont. They
should also not be discouraged if they receive negative answers. Often many applications are rejected before students get
through to the interview stage. Some internship vacancies are advertised on SIGMA's intranet platform (https://sigma-
clermont.jobteaser.com/) and the website of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
(https://nostalentsnosemplois.auvergnerhonealpes.fr/). But it would be best to search for internships on other platforms,
too.

Oh, and don't forget something very important! When sending the curriculum, the student must also send a motivation
letter aligned to the position. It is important to ask for examples of motivation letters from fellow students who arrived
earlier at SIGMA. Unity is strength!

4. What to do while still in my home country?

The first step for a student coming to SIGMA from a partner university is, without a doubt, to participate in the selection
process at the home university. If the student is selected, the coordinator of his/her home university will nominate him/her
to SIGMA'S international office. Then an e-mail will be sent directly to the student with attached documents (explaining the
application process and a form that must be filled out) and a link via which the candidate should sign up and submit the
application. Usually, as the coordinator at SIGMA, I am in a copy of this e-mail when the students are coming from Brazil or
Portugal. The student can contact me with questions about the process and documents if they have not already been
answered in this document.

The student's application will be analyzed by those responsible for the domaine he/she chooses. It is important to look
carefully at the subjects in each area to select the one closest to the course taken in the home university, ensuring that most
of the prerequisites for the subjects exist. For example, generally, students who take chemical engineering in Brazil enroll in

Katyanne Farias 17
the domaine Procédés et Systèmes Industriels and orientation Génie des Procédés et Energétique, which is the course at
SIGMA most aligned with chemical engineering courses in Brazil.

If the domaine manager accepts the student's application, a letter of acceptance will be written and used for the visa
application if required. The person responsible for managing exchange students at SIGMA will also contact you regarding
booking accommodation in the university residence (CROUS: https://www.crous-clermont.fr/se-loger/je-cherche-un-
logement/les-logements-crous-a-clermont-aubiere-et-montlucon/) if the student wishes to do so.

Generally, three different types of rooms are available at the CROUS, with prices ranging from 150€ for a traditional room,
250€ for a renovated room, and 300€ for a studio.

A government housing allowance (CAF) is possible and represents about 30% of the rent. This aid is applied for after arrival
in France.

4.1. Frequently asked questions about documents and the application process
4.1.1. Health insurance
What is Assurance Maladie Française?
It is health insurance (sécurité sociale) that must be taken out as soon as the student arrives in France. He/she will then
receive a health card. With this card, the student will be reimbursed about 70% of health expenses (doctor’s
appointments, exams, medication). In some cases, using the card will not be necessary to pay the total medical
appointment amount to get the service or product reimbursed, but only the non-reimbursable amount. But beware, not
all professionals and services offer reimbursement and are included in this system.

What is mutuelle?
It is a health insurance supplement paid annually, which usually allows reimbursement for the remainder of the amount
not reimbursed by the sécurité sociale. There are numerous companies that provide this service and several option
packages proposed by each company. Prices are generally lower for students. It would help if you researched the prices
of the different companies and packages to choose the one that best suits you.

How can students obtain an attestation santé internationale? Is it a document made by a doctor?
For everything involving insurance, SIGMA recommends that international students take out a travel insurance policy
that covers them until at least one month after their expected arrival date in France. In this case, the travel insurance
contract should be included in the documents sent to SIGMA.

4.1.2. Housing insurance

What is Assurance Habitation?
In France, you must pay for housing insurance if you rent an apartment or a room. This insurance policy must be valid
at the time you enter the rented residence. You can obtain insurance from different companies and even banks (this
option is usually more expensive). Housing insurance specifically for students is generally cheaper.

4.1.3. Travel Insurance

International students must take out travel insurance for how long before they travel to France?
For everything involving insurance, SIGMA recommends that international students take out travel insurance that covers
them for up to at least one month after their planned arrival date in France. This gives the student time to enroll in
Assurance Maladie Française and a responsabilité civile insurance as part of housing insurance (assurance habitation).

4.1.4. Responsabilité civile

What is responsabilité civile?

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 Responsabilité civile is the obligation to compensate for any damage caused to others. Regarding home insurance, it is
about repairing the damage caused by an element of your home: water leakage, falling tree, falling wall, fire, etc. You
can protect yourself by taking out a responsabilité civile insurance in your home insurance contract. The insurance
company will then pay to repair the damage caused by your accommodation. But there are exceptions.

When should the responsabilité civile insurance policy be contracted?

It is mandatory and should be done as soon as you arrive in France, as an extension of your housing insurance (also
mandatory) or of your health complement.

Which document should be sent as a responsabilité civile at the time of registration in SIGMA's MoveOn system?
Travel Insurance. Students can finalize their MoveOn registration and take out travel insurance before traveling to
France. Suppose the absence of this document makes it impossible to finalize the MoveOn registration; in this case,
students can attach a blank sheet of paper and send the insurance certificate later, but this must be communicated in
advance to SIGMA's international relations officers.

4.1.5. Translations
Does the translation of the birth certificate need to be notarized?
Yes, this translation needs to be notarized.

Must the translation of the academic transcript be notarized?

The school transcript does not necessarily need to be translated.

4.1.6. Choice of course

Can students who want only a one-year exchange apply directly to the last year of school (semester 9)? If so, are there
specific conditions for this to be possible?
Applying for semesters 9 and 10 may be an option for students who will only do a one-year exchange if validated by
SIGMA. The courses taken by the student up to the time of the exchange will be analyzed to ensure that the student has
the necessary background to take the courses and final-year internship at SIGMA. Therefore, it is preferable that the
student is enrolled in the penultimate or last year at the home university at the time of the exchange application. Please
note that in semester 10, the student is required to do a 6-month internship. It is the student's responsibility to find an
internship.

Is it mandatory to choose French as a second language?

In general, yes. However, suppose a student has proven to have a very high level of French. In that case, he/she can
choose to take another language as a second foreign language after validation by the person responsible for the French
language program.

4.1.7. Learning Agreement

Is the Learning Agreement an individual document for each student? Who would provide this document?
SIGMA will generate Learning Agreements for students outside Europe after arriving in France. For Erasmus mobility
students, Learning Agreements are prepared before they arrive at SIGMA Clermont.

4.1.8. Filling out the form on MoveOn

About filling in the form on MoveOn:
- The level (niveau) of the dual degree is the Master.
- The first semester is winter and runs from about September through February of the following year.

As for the question: "Venez-vous pour un projet de recherche / mémoire de fin d'études ?", does it refer to the dual
diploma student and the Brafitec student who will do only one year of exchange but wishes to enroll in S9?
Katyanne Farias 19
 The research project is another type of mobility, and Brafitec exchange students do not fall into this category, regardless
of the duration of the exchange. Therefore, the correct answer is "non".

What to choose at MoveOn between Brafitec and Double Diploma?

The student who will do a dual degree via Brafitec should choose the Dual Degree option.

4.1.9. Housing
How is accommodation reserved at CROUS?
If the student has chosen this in the application file, the accommodation reservation for exchange students (both
incoming and outgoing students) is made by SIGMA's International Relations Office. The person responsible for
managing the arrival of international students will contact the students to confirm the reservation and send the
necessary information. After that, students contact CROUS directly to complete the housing reservation process.

4.2. A few tips

The following tips can make your arrival and stay in Clermont-Ferrand easier.

4.2.1. Contacts with former students

The first tip is to contact the alumni after the selection is made at the home university and the application process at SIGMA
Clermont is underway. The alumni have gone through the same or a very similar process. They will be able to give you advice
about housing, flights, opening bank accounts, contracts for cell phone lines, choice of domaine and orientation, and even
about the application process at SIGMA and filling out the documents.

4.2.2. Arrival period and airport

It is recommended to arrive in Clermont at least two weeks before the beginning of classes at SIGMA. During this time,
the student will be able to become familiar with the language of the native French speakers, familiarize himself with the city,
locate supermarkets, buy items that are missing in his accommodation, finalize administrative procedures (such as opening
a bank account, opening a telephone account, registering with Assurance Maladie Française, etc.). The average adaptation
period for a new student in France is 3 months. It is important to remember that the evaluation system is "continuous
assessment", and consequently exams are held start from the beginning of the semester. Therefore, it is advisable to resolve
all administrative issues before the beginning of classes.

The three most accessible airport options for getting to Clermont are:

 Clermont Airport: Clermont airport is small and has few flights. However, there are flights with a certain frequency
between Paris and Clermont. In this case, you would arrive in Paris and take another flight to Clermont. If the flight
is purchased in advance, it is often cheaper to come directly to Clermont than to arrive in Paris and have the
additional cost of transportation into central Paris and then a train from Paris to Clermont. The airport of Clermont
is easily accessible by bus during office hours: bus number 10 passes by Place Jaude in the center of Clermont; with
bus n° 20, you can go to the Montferrand district of Clermont and then take tram A to the campus.
 Paris airports: Another option is to buy a flight only to Paris. If you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport, you can check
if there is a train from Charles de Gaulle airport to Clermont, probably with an exchange in Lyon. This option may
be the simplest logistically. But another option will probably cost less: go by public transport to the center of Paris
(about 1h) and then take a direct train to Clermont. In the transport to the center of Paris, you will probably have at
least one metro station with stairs, which is not so nice when you have suitcases. But nothing is impossible when
you are determined! Remember to buy your train ticket with enough time to pass through customs control (if you
are entering Europe via Paris) and pick up your bags. In this case, it is always better to err on the side of caution.
 Lyon Airport: You can also arrive at Lyon airport. About three Flixbus buses per day run from Lyon airport to
Clermont at a very affordable cost. You must ensure a viable bus schedule concerning your arrival time at Lyon

Katyanne Farias 20
 airport. If the bus is not an option, take a Rhônexpress train (https://www.rhonexpress.fr/fr_FR/) to downtown Lyon
arriving at Lyon Part Dieu station, and then take a train to Clermont.

Remember to check the SNCF website (https://www.sncf-connect.com/) for train schedules and carefully check at which
station the train will depart and arrive.

4.2.3. Packing Tips

When you are coming to Europe for a long stay, it is recommended to travel with only one big suitcase (23kg), a carry-on bag
and, if the airline allows it, a backpack. This is because, on the way home, the volume of things will probably be much larger,
with gifts, wine, chocolate, and purchases made during the stay. The student will also have to do an internship, which will
likely not be in Clermont. So, having one or two suitcases at the time of the move will make this process easier. But nothing
is mandatory!

If the trip is for academic exchange, the student will probably arrive in France in the summer. Therefore, for those coming
from tropical countries and regions, in my opinion, it is more interesting to buy winter clothes (jackets, gloves, boots, etc.)
here in France. This is because the clothes found in tropical regions generally could not be suitable for the European winter.

Some things, like specific foods and kitchen utensils, are not easily found here. If these items are very important, consider
bringing them. Attention, ensure that the stove in your residence or future home is induction (or not) if you wish to bring
specific pans, for example.

Regarding kitchen utensils, outgoing students usually sell kits very cheaply. Another option is to buy from stores like IKEA.
Therefore, it is not a priority to bring them in your suitcase.

References
SIGMA Clermont. Available at: https://www.sigma-clermont.fr/. Accessed March 11, 2023.

Guia BRASA de Clermont-Ferrand, 1st edition, 2019.

Clermont-Ferrand and SIGMA Clermont student guide attachments (maquette, syllabus, application documents,
templates of other documents). Katyanne Farias, 2023. Available at: https://ifmafr0-
my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/katyanne_farias_de_araujo_sigma-
clermont_fr/EiUs1GPyzSJBjYWDhug1r3QBs6_5iITnvJ0sonQcQczAMA.

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