Sciences Po-Paris: Meh :/ Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Taking English taught courses gave me an overall light workload. I heard it was a different story with the French taught courses. Typically it would involve three grades: one paper, one presentation, one test or an additional presentation. The presentations, all group, require you to present to the class (via powerpoint) a topic assigned in the first class. Classes are also 2 hours long (1 hr 50 min technically) and one day a week for the "seminars" and "electives" which are 4 ECTS. I was lucky to get my 5 classes, all electives, at a mere 20 ECTS to equal 15 hours American despite only 10 hours of actual class time. Registering was quick but fairly simple if you followed directions well. The teachers were surprisingly accessible in person however often impossible by email. For example I asked my teachers if they had received my final papers at the end of the semester. No responses despite numerous emails and before the semester had even officially ended. There is a very large amount of student presentations in the form of presentations made by groups of students themselves. Group assignments were common even taking the form of a group paper (which like most group assignments was less than efficient). The system grades on a 1-20 system supposedly but 19 and 20 do not exist. The 18 is saved for one spectacular student. In the two classes I actually know my grades in (and everyone else's because the teacher publicly announced all of the grades) one student would recieve a 17, about 8 percent 16's, then a bell curve (enforced by the administration) to fill out the class until one particularly lazy, but lucky to even pass, student gets a 10 to complete the curve. I never bought a book for any of my classes. Readings posted on ENTG, a blackboard of sorts.

On-site administration of your program

Absolutely awful administration at the school. Very difficult to change classes or drop them before the classes even start. Total pain in acquiring student ID. Those who work at "Accuiel Administrative" do not speak a lick of English to the detriment of the 1,000 international students trying to acquire school IDs. I waited in line for 45 mins for the woman at the desk to simply say "I don't know what documents you need to get your ID, email the exchange program coordinator" turns out all I needed was to turn in a passport sized photo and wait in line another 45 mins to bring it to the same woman. They won't be much help on anything. Avoid at all costs, your peers know much more than the Admin.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in the 6eme arrondisement (great neighborhood 3 blocks from campus). Chambre de bonne for 350 euro per month plus 400 euro signing fee and 200 euros utilities at the end of the semester removed from my 400 euro deposit. Received 200 Euros back from deposit. Acquired through parisacademicrentals . com. Very good landlord, American, easy to work with and reasonable. Did have mice a one point, mostly due to my neighbor downstairs who basically lived in squalor and would sadly die later in the semester. Surrounded by four American students and two french adults. Rest of building is French.

Only had a hotplate. Street food 5-8 euro. Restaurants were fairly expensive and almost never worth the 15 euro. Not really any low-midrange restuarants. Similar grocery store prices to the US except meat is much more expensive.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Sports classes are cool. There is a student sports organization who organizes these classes at gyms and locations across the city. Be sure to check the Association Sportive website to see the class time location and selections. I did boxing and it was fun and better French practice than I had otherwise. It also was contact training which is better than I can say for my home university.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Never had to go to the doctor. I had one friend raped and robbed and one mugged and robbed. Keep in mind this was actually just on the left bank. Not even the 18eme or Saint-Denis or anything.

(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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• Other

• Living in the 6eme
• Very little work.
• Free or heavily discounted museums across the EU

• French economic policies
• Rigor of academics
• Cultural attitudes to short term residents.