Experience report
Name: Manou Wieggers
E-mail: manou_wieggers89@hotmail.com
Exchange semester: Fall 2014
Academic year: 2014 – 2015
Host University: Sciences Po
Country: France
TOPIC: Admission, arrival, housing
One month before the semester started my parents brought me by car to Paris. Together with another
exchange student from Tilburg University, I found an apartment via a real estate agency. The
university does not provide you with accommodation, but on their website is a housing service.
There was a welcome week for the bachelor students, but for the master students the law department
only organized an information session.
TOPIC: Location of university/city
The university is located in the city center. All their buildings are located in the 7th arrondissement,
which is one of the richest areas of Paris.
Paris has so much to offer. It is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in the world. There
are lots of (free) museums, parks, good restaurants, bars, etc. And even when you’re just walking
down the street you will see the most beautiful (ancient) architectural buildings.
TOPIC: Academics
I took courses from the master economic law, a French language course and a course in sociology.
To me the courses from the master economic law were very interesting. The classes were very small
and the teachers were professionals who were very compassionate with their students, giving lots of
examples from their personal experiences in the professional field. I didn’t take as many courses as
the normal master students from Sciences Po. I think for them the workload is much higher.
TOPIC: Social life
If you wanted you could attend several social activities a week, organized by different associations
within in the university. Since everyone is in the same situation, going to a new city all by yourself, all
the exchange students are very open and willing to do a lot of things together. It is a bit harder to get
in contact with the local students, but not impossible.
TOPIC: Living costs
Paris is a very expensive city to live in. I received the Erasmus grant from Tilburg University and
furthermore my parents helped me and I used part of my own savings. I also applied for CAF, from
which I got approximately € 200 a month. How much you spend on food and drinks, really depends on
your lifestyle but you can safe on this by eating at the special student restaurants (CROUS). For €
3,20 you can eat a 3 course meal. If you want to save on drinking, go during happy hour. You don’t
have to spend money on cultural things, since most museums are free for students.
TOPIC: Culture
I did not experience a big culture shock while on exchange. France is not that different from the
Netherlands and I have been to Paris many times before. The French are considered to be arrogant
and not that friendly, but in my experience people are much nicer when you are polite, start the
conversation with ‘bonjour’ and when they see that you’re making an effort to speak in French.
Nowadays, a lot of French people also speak (at least a bit) English.
TOPIC: Personal development
This exchange period is something I will always remember. It was a great experience and I met a lot
of new friends coming from all over the world. It very good for your personal development, since you
are going to a new city, without knowing anyone and no parents or friends who can help you with
anything.
TOPIC: Tips for future students
I would definitely recommend an exchange period to other students. It’s an experience you’ll take with
you for the rest of your life. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Sciences Po is one of
the best universities and for law students it’s the only university in Paris where you can study in
English.