Estonian student at Paris fashion school: finding an apartment was harder than getting in

Eva-Karoliina Lepp is soon completing her bachelor's degree at the prestigious Institut Français de la Mode in Paris. In a podcast with Õhtuleht, she shares how the most difficult part of moving abroad turned out not to be admission, but finding a place to live. Over three years, she has collaborated with fashion houses like Gucci, Hermès, and Christian Louboutin.

Eva-Karoliina Lepp is one of the few Estonians completing a bachelor's degree at the world-renowned fashion school Institut Français de la Mode in Paris. In Õhtuleht's podcast "Studying Abroad!?", she speaks candidly about both the joys of studying and the everyday challenges of life in the French capital.

Philosophy and art analysis in admissions

Lepp's path to Paris began already in her final year of secondary school, when she decided to study abroad after graduation. The university's admission process surprised her unexpectedly: in the interview, she had to answer philosophical questions and analyse a work of art. "They were mainly interested in what kind of person you are and how you would fit into their school," Lepp explains.

Flat-hunting, the hardest part of moving

Once she had successfully passed the entrance exam, a new headache began: finding a place to live. The Paris real estate market is known for its ruthless competition, and Lepp admits that this was the most difficult stage of the entire move abroad. For each apartment viewing, she had to compile a substantial document package containing proof of income and guarantor details. According to her, nearly 30 interested parties gathered for a single viewing.

Lectures with QR codes and collaboration with major fashion houses

The study itself differed markedly from what Estonians are accustomed to at universities back home. Lectures took place almost every day from morning to afternoon, and attendance was monitored using QR codes. The emphasis of the coursework was on practical projects carried out in collaboration with renowned fashion houses such as Gucci, Hermès, and Christian Louboutin.

Finding suitable internship experience also required persistence. Lepp sent approximately one hundred job applications before she got the opportunity to work at a haute couture fashion house. There, she dealt with VIP clients and participated in the commissioning process for exclusive, bespoke garments.

"You can't plan everything"

Three years in Paris have, by her own admission, significantly changed Lepp as a person. For those considering studying abroad, she recommends being open to new experiences and not being intimidated by the unexpected. "You can't plan everything, but that's precisely what makes this experience so valuable," she believes. The podcast is presented by Matilda Salum.