Paris is an amazing city; SP exchange is excellent if you know what you are getting into. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I think I lucked out, some of my classes were amazing and most of my professors were excellent. The grading system was never fully explained to me, and I still don't completely understand. Most of my classes had 2 assignments, a paper, an oral presentation. Your grade was base off of that, and participation. In some classes, the professor also took attendance into consideration, without noting so at the beginning of the semester. The classic Sciences Po teaching method in a typical class is: two students give oral presentations (either on the readings or on the topic), the professor lectures, there is a short discussion. My two best classes were the ones that did not adhere to this structure. The discussion was not as high caliber as I was used to at Wellesley, and it was always the same few people who talked. I strongly disliked the classic Sciences Po format, although, I definitely learned a lot, particularly in my class with a great professor. The workload was less than what I was used to, but still a lot for when I had big assignments, and the end of the semester was way worse than what I was used to, due to the fact that I had so many more classes.

On-site administration of your program

There is a support structure in place for exchange students, but I never had to use it so I cannot comment upon it. In France, getting things done is typically more complicated than in the USA. Offices are open at weird times, and you often need to have done a series of pre-steps before you can actually do what you need to do. Always make sure you have the right forms, photocopies, etc. already filled out before you go somewhere, call to make sure they are open, and get things done early, processing time will be longer than you think.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had to find my own housing. Sciences Po doesn't really help much, and Wellesley did absolutely nothing. I used an agency. Don't use an agency. It was nice having an apartment when I got here, but my agent was awful, I was placed in an apartment that was being illegally rented so I couldn't apply for government housing assistance, and my roommate was an American who could barely speak two words of French so I had to translate for her. If you do this program, I would recommend finding an apartment yourself. It sounds scary, but everyone finds a place and you have more control over price, roommate, location, and CAFF (gov't housing assistance).

I'm a great cook. The Sciences Po cafeteria is dirt cheap, otherwise, eating out gets expensive fast, but Paris is a great city for food. If you need a change of pace, check out Ave Maria.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Program doesn't really arrange any. Sciences Po Buddy Program has outings in Paris, but I didn't participate.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Four students were killed in a fire. The fire safety standards in Paris are abysmal, be vigilant. Health care I never had to use, but could have. Sciences Po has a doctor for students, which I've heard is easy to use. It's France, no major health risks, besides lung cancer, and no vaccines necessary.

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

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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