Sciences Po in Paris: Challenging, Fun, and Rewarding Past Review

By (Economics., Wellesley College) for

Sciences Po: Paris - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my French a lot, I learned how to be more independent, I had lots of fun, and I got to take classes with a more European perspective on politics and economics.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It is sometimes hard to get things done with French bureaucracy, but in general Sciences Po is somewhat helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived at Cité Universitaire, which is very cheap for Paris, provides lots of services for students that you might not have access to (gym, pool, park, library, reading rooms, cultural events and lectures), and was generally a good way to get to know other students.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Sciences Po has really great speakers come talk (e.g. Kofi Annan) and there are a few student orgs that throw a lot of social events etc, and most of them were a lot of fun.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Paris is generally not unsafe as long as you use common sense and I haven't had any problems really.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? n/a

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 211
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

My language class only met once a week so that made it hard to really improve my French. I did use French in daily interactions, but you have to really force yourself to speak French since Sciences Po is a bilingual institution.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

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  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

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A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Talk to other students who have been there before about housing and make an effort to get to know French people.