Student review [#28907]
for Political Science
at Sciences Po
Paris, France
Where can I start – the Menton Campus of Sciences Po certainly offers a university experience like no other. Surrounded by students from Turkey to Tunisia, and Uganda to Uzbekistan, I am immersed in an environment that constantly challenges and excites me. Sciences Po is exactly where I need to be to continue growing into the open-minded, discerning woman I desire to be.
The Sciences Po experience can be described as nothing other than diverse. Professors’ backgrounds range from Italy to London, to Paris, and thus teaching styles and priorities are different between them. However, I’ve learned so very much from world-class professors who are genuinely passionate about the topics they’re teaching. One downfall of this diversity, though, is the lack go predictability of the grades given by teachers. As each comes from a different grading system and background, they all expect different things from the students’ work, and often don’t communicate or coordinate these expectations between themselves or with their classes.
As the Menton campus is small, with only 75 students, social life is enrapturing. As we all live in a tiny town, if you enjoy potluck dinners and wine nights with close friends, and essentially live on top of one another in tiny apartments, this is the life for you. Students come from every country (in the English International Track, ironically from pretty much all nations except France). The people make the uni – this is indisputable.
As a young girl from an isolated Aussie city, being able to meet people from diverse cultures, yet all driven by the same passion and zest for politics and international studies has been an eye-opening opportunity. I’ve learnt just about life generally from my peers as I have my professors, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Accommodation options remain somewhat limited, with single-sex boys or girls residences at either Villa Jasmin or Menton Plus, and thus many students elect to live in shared apartments. Having lived in the Villa, I can safely say that although loved the people I was living with, the experience was characterised by many obscure rules and I am excited to be moving into an apartment with friends next year. The food here is expensive but far cheaper than in other European cities. Italy is far cheaper for grocery shopping, and thus we often catch a train to capitalise on the cheaper prices in Ventimiglia.
overall, I have learned and grown so much from this university experience. I would not change a thing (not even the poor university administration coordination) and am excited to be returning soon for the new academic year.
