The best 5 months of my life! Past Review

By (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/07/2014 to 05/14/2014 with

Sciences Po: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to adapt to a new culture, a new environment, a new way of living, a new language, new people, all by myself without any support from family or friends from home (except by phone/email). I think this experience really showed me what I'm capable of, and I'm really glad that I went by myself instead of with friends, because I really gained a lot of important life skills. It was the most worthwhile thing I've done in my life thus far. I think everyone should study abroad if they get the chance.

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.

I had an amazing experience studying at Sciences Po in Paris. I had the opportunity to be immersed in a completely different education system, and had to find a way to adapt and succeed in a new environment. I think this experience will definitely be useful in the future.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

France works much differently that the US, so at first it was difficult, and sometimes frustrating, to adapt to the different administrative system. Registration was not as smooth as I would have liked, but I managed to be enrolled in courses I needed for my degree program. Not much exchange student advising was provided aside from that given in the Welcome Program, which I believe was overpriced.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Finding housing in Paris is difficult and it is definitely expensive, but it's not impossible. I found a studio apartment through Craigslist and was able to find a roommate on the Facebook group for incoming Sciences Po exchange students. I paid around 760 USD for a very small studio straddling the 5th and 13th arrondissements and it was a great location and it included a small kitchen and washer/dryer so it was livable.

* Food:

It's Paris. Food is amazing, but can be expensive sometimes. The Sciences Po main class buildings both have small cafeterias that offer really good, really cheap sandwiches which is a good alternative to surrounding cafes (Sciences Po is in a notoriously expensive neighborhood) for cheap lunch.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There's a lot of culture shock to face in the first month, but after you get your bearings you can start really taking in some of the culture. I made a few Parisian friends, but for the most part the French students didn't want to make friends with exchange students, understandably, because exchanges are always coming in and out of the country. That said, I met students from all over the world at Sciences Po that I am still in contact with. I am very glad I chose an exchange program rather than an affiliate program, and that I went by myself rather than with a group or a friend, because I was able to get out of my comfort zone and now I have friends I met in Paris from all over the world.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues, but I avoided doctors and clinics because of the paperwork it seemed would be required to be reimbursed for medical charges. France should really be famous for its massive amounts of paperwork.

* Safety:

For the most part, I felt safe in the city. As long as you have normal street smarts and understand the cultural differences (don't make eye contact, no smiling or nodding on the sidewalks, etc.), you're unlikely to get yourself into trouble. Paris is known for pickpocketers, but I never had anything stolen. As long as you're street smart, you should be alright.

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)

Paris is very expensive, but there are some ways to keep costs down.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 125-180
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? 1. cook at home 2. buy a Passe Navigo or imagine R metro pass. The Imagine R card is only for students and is cheaper than the Navigo, but is only really worth it if you can send your papers in before you get to Paris (it can take very long time for them to send you your card). 3. take advantage of SciencesPo school cafeterias - they offer government subsidized food which is really affordable and actually really good food (baguette chicken sandwich for 3 euros).

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • SciencesPo's extremely diverse student body (I met students from all corners of the world.)
  • Exchange program forced me to adapt without the crutch of having students from home with me. I learned a lot about myself and am a lot more adaptable now, which I think will be important in the future.
  • The study abroad team at UT was amazing at every step.
* What could be improved?
  • Communication with SciencesPo was difficult. It was often hard to get a reply to a question.
  • I wish Welcome Program had been more useful or cheaper. I paid a lot, and I am glad I went because I met many of my friends there, but it simply wasn't worth the price.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to start travelling earlier! I didn't start taking weekend trips til late February (a month and a half in) and I realize I missed a lot of valuable travel time!