My Exchange at Sciences Po, Paris
I completed my semester exchange at Sciences Po on the Reims campus. I first found out about the 360 International exchange programme through doing my own research and attending an information session. Following that session I carried out the necessary steps to apply for a semester exchange, it was a lot of work but definitely worth it! When I first arrived at Sciences Po Reims I felt a little overwhelmed but luckily the campus organised an orientation week for international students which helped us to adjust to the university life, the academic expectations of the institution and all the necessary tips for our semester.
I lived in a flat with 3 French students who were studying at the business school NEOMA and an Australian student also at Sciences Po for a semester exchange. I found this accommodation through an organisation called Colocatère, you apply for housing as an individual and are then placed in an apartment with like-minded students or young workers. I loved my flat, especially being able to live with locals as it allowed me to practice my French and get further insight into Reims and France in general. Colocatère is a fantastic company especially for short term accomodation for exchange students as you get the experience of flatting in France while avoiding all of the hassle of admin.
Overall, the standard of teaching of Sciences Po was incredible. All of my professors were very experienced in their respective industries and came from very esteemed backgrounds. One of the main challenges I faced was course enrolment as it is very different to the process at UoA. We only had a two hour window to apply or classes and a lot of the courses I had initially planned on taking were full and so I had to go with my backup options. However I really enjoyed all of the courses I took and I got to learn about subjects I wouldn’t have the chance to at UoA. Assessments were mainly based on presentations and essays rather than quizzes and exams which I enjoyed.
Reims was a great city to live in for 5 months. It’s not too big I was able to pretty much walk everywhere, although some students rented bikes for the semester or got public transport passes which are also good options. I felt like I truly got to know the city and as an added bonus it’s only a 45 minute train ride for Paris so I got to visit the capital city on weekends for the day which I loved. I found the cost of living to be relatively the same as in Auckland, the main difference I noticed was when grocery shopping some of the fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables is a bit more expensive as a lot of it is imported, but there is usually something on sale so it’s relatively easy to find cheap options.
Sciences Po has a great camps life with lots of clubs and student groups available to join such as champagne tasting clubs, yoga classes and sports teams. I really enjoyed the club night which were organised by the student leaders as I got to meet lot of different exchange students and locals. I also took part in one of the organised tips to Mont St. Michel which was an incredible experience and so much fun!
I would highly recommend a semester exchange at Sciences Po, specifically the Reims campus. My number one piece of advice for students who study here or in France in general is to be prepared for protests and strikes. Protesting is a big part of French culture, I had many classes cancelled or moved onto zoom, tests rescheduled last minute and my end of semester exam was heavily disrupted. It’s important to respect the protestors and their causes (and join in if you’re invested in the cause) but also to prioritise your safety, wellbeing and studies. Take it as all part of an authentic French learning experience!
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
The small class size (typically 15-20 students) created the perfect academic environment for in depth discussions and debates on issues, to connect with like minded students and the ability to have much more focused teaching from professors.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
I would recommend attending at least one of the regional trips organised by the student club. They are a perfect opportunity to experience a new part of France without having to plan it yourself, are usually offered at a very reasonable price and allow you to form friendships with other exchange or local students.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Be prepared for protests and strikes! They are a big part of French culture and can be quite confronting and even scary at times, however, they are also a great opportunity to research and familiarise yourself with current events and experience typical French culture. Just remember to keep yourself safe and stay within your comfort zone.
- Be comfortable with public speaking, the majority of your assessments will be presentations in front of the class. The class sizes are relatively small (15-20 students) and everyone is very accommodating and encouraging so no need to stress!
- If possible, go flatting instead of living in university accommodation. University accommodation in France can be quite isolating and difficult to meet people. While it may be intimidating to live with people you haven’t met yet in a foreign country, it was the highlight of my exchange and allowed me to improve my French immensely and form great friendships. I would highly recommend organising your accommodation through the company Colocatère.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I knew that I would want to travel a lot around France and Europe in general both during and after my exchange so I budgeted around $8,000 NZD for that which was a good amount for backpacking. For weekly expenses while abroad, I initially budgeted $5,000 NZD but ended up spending about $6,000 NZD. My biggest tips for saving while travelling is to stay in hostels, they’re a lot cheaper than Air BnB’s or hotels and super fun! I also recommend getting cheaper trains even if they’re at inconvenient times a you can save a lot of money this way.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
Take every opportunity that comes your way! Money will come back but you’ll never be in your 20’s studying in France again. Don’t stress too much about academics, it important to attend all classes and get the most out of attending an incredible institution like Sciences Po but you’re all there to experience the culture and create amazing memories.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
France is a great location for getting to other areas of Europe. I managed to I trips to Belgium, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Switzerland and multiple places throughout France all during my semester! Take advantage of long weekends and cheap train tickets for travelling, you won’t regret it!
Final Comments
If you’re unsure about going on exchange, I say just go for it. There will always be complications, things that don’t go as expected or stressful moments but the incredible experience that you will have will make it all worth it!
