C'est la vie Past Review

By (Government, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 07/18/2014 to 05/31/2014 with

Sciences Po: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The greatest thing about being abroad was being able to live & breath the European culture & lifestyle. I had never left Texas before and so this was a huge change for me, in many ways. It was worthwhile in the sense that every stereotype or cliche i brought with me was put to the test. And while some may have held true, most were just the result of television and film. I almost felt ashamed at how intrigued and knowledgable the Europeans were about American life and yet i knew so little about theirs. This experience has definitely opened my eyes, and while i will always love and support the USA, i will be paying more attention to international news and events going forward.

Review Photos

Sciences Po: Paris - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Sciences Po is one of the top Universities in Europe, and it shows. The resident students definitely have it tougher than the exchange students, but you are still required to meet, or exceed, their expectations. In comparison to my home university, i would say it was about the same. You will be doing a lot of outside work because there is not much in class time. The resources are great, there are more than enough books in the libraries to help you get your work done. And the professors all come from prestigious backgrounds.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I didn't have too many issues with the administration on campus. For the most part, the office administrators were where they were supposed to be and the professors were where we thought they'd be.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Expensive and small, but that's Paris for you. I was fortunate enough to find 3 roommates to split the monthly cost. Space in general is limited and that's something you'll have to get used to. We had to use an agent to help us find housing because we didn't have anyone there to check out the apartments for us. It will drive up the cost but it's worth it what with all the scam artists on Craigslist. Unless you have a friend or family member in Paris to check out the apartments for you, i'd suggest using a booking agent or waiting till you get to Paris to find housing. Sciences Po does have some student housing available, but for the most part they were either too expensive or not available.

* Food:

The cafeteria at Sciences Po isn't bad and the prices are reasonable, comparably speaking. Most of the French students eat there as well. They have all sorts of breads, pastries, snacks, and drinks. Tip: get the 3 cheese panini or the avocado and salmon baguette.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I definitely felt the French and Parisian culture while at Sciences Po. Their different mannerisms and dress were something i was expecting but they still surprised me. Likewise, the French students at Sciences Po were very willing to practice their English with me and learn about American culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues while abroad but one of my roommates did. There are 2 or 3 nurse's offices at Sciences Po and my roommate was able to get some medicine when they needed it. The health insurance they make you buy while living in France is pretty high and for me, it was useless as i did not use it. However, my roommate was reimbursed through the mail covering whatever costs he had endured for medication.

* Safety:

I didn't have any safety issues, but i know of other students, mainly female, who had unwanted followers late in the night. Like any big city, i'd say that it's better if you travel in a group rather than alone. Even if it's just one other person, 2 is better than 1. For the most part, the French people were mindful of their own business, and it was only a few creeps that made the city feel less safe. There are pickpockets in Paris, and there are a lot of them. All around the big tourist-y places they will try every trick in the book and then some. Just be mindful of your things and keep them close by. For guys, you might think of investing in a small carry bag/pouch. It may seem lame or tourist-y but even the French wear them. It beats having your phone picked out of your pocket.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It depends on where you live. You'll find that most of the supermarkets are expensive compared to the US, but there are small locally owned shops where you can find food for cheap. If you're lucky, you'll live near a LIDL which is a German supermarket chain and they sell the cheapest food in Paris that we could find. On certain days there are farmer's markets as well where you can try and haggle for cheap fruits & vegetables. There isn't as much fast food as there is in the states, but there are still some places around. And they're not cheap like in the states. Around $6-8 USD.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Look for LIDL. Seriously, it was what my roommates and I deemed as our saviour because it saved us so much money on groceries. There is no Wal-Mart and there is no Dollar Store. Try not to eat out too much because it is much more expensive than cooking your own food.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Opportunity to study Law
  • Meeting so many internationals
  • Paris
* What could be improved?
  • French & Exchange student integration
  • Orientation week
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about football, not the american one.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.