Jordan Murphy
"Try not to come into the experience with super high (or low) expectations--there's no way to know what kind of time you'll have until you're there. And don't forget that studying abroad is what you make of it! Don't be afraid to reach out to new people and try new things! Openness to new experiences and making the best of things when you run into snags is what really makes or breaks your time abroad."
I always knew I wanted to study abroad--it was just a question of where and when. I feel like everyone should live outside of their country of origin for a little while! It opens your eyes to the huge range of experiences that people on this earth have and can teach you so much about yourself. I chose France because I really wanted to improve my proficiency in French and have always really loved French culture. When I discovered Sciences Po was open to Berkeley students, it seemed like a perfect fit and an awesome opportunity to study the subject of my major at an elite university.
The coolest cultural experience I had was while travelling with a friend in Athens. We were wandering around in the Plaka neighborhood and were called over by a restaurant worker (something tourists in Athens can totally expect to happen to them when they walk by any restaurant) and convinced to eat at one of his tables on the street. A wandering group of musicians playing traditional music came by and started pulling diners to get up and dance with them--we were a bit wary of pickpockets so we made sure to pile our bags safely, but we figured we pretty much had to join in! And so we ended up having a lil impromptu Greek dance party, and then we had a SUPER awesome meal and got a free carafe of wine and some ouzo from the restaurant. After so long in Paris (where the locals tend to be a bit brusque) it was really nice to feel SO welcomed in a new place. That night was probably the most fun I had all semester!
My biggest challenge was definitely feeling isolated and lonely. For a while I didn't cope very well with being so far from my friends and family and struggling to feel like I fit in while in France. What helped was remembering what a cool place I was in and going out to experience it! The museums, restaurants, parks, films, music, and pretty much all cultural products of Paris are world class. And I could visit all of it pretty much whenever I wanted! I also reminded myself that I had a support system back home and that I didn't need to be afraid to reach out to the people I love. Talking to friends and family always helped me feel a little more grounded!
I would wake up, get ready, and take the metro to the university's stop (Saint Germain des Pres). If I had time, I would walk to a bakery to buy a pastry and some coffee for breakfast and then sit in a park near campus to eat and enjoy the ~vibes~. After class I would usually try to visit a new place--there are SO MANY monuments, parks, museums, etc. in Paris. I didn't even get to visit them all. And students usually get in free! The Louvre is only about a 25 minute walk away from Sciences Po, so I'd often end up there. Then I'd head back to my apartment to do my readings or any other work I had to do, and then I might meet up with friends for dinner (which is kinda late in France, at about 7 pm) or some drinks!
I took a full course load that was converted into 15 Berkeley units. The courses were similar in some ways but also very different! All Sciences Po classes only meet once per week, and always for two-hour periods. We were required to take five classes: one large lecture course with a discussion section, three seminar courses (smaller discussion-based courses), and a class in French (either on the language or another academic subject). Depending on our French proficiency, we could also take any of the lecture or seminar courses in French. Most classes had very little homework throughout the semester, and grades were mostly based on midterm papers, final papers, and in-class presentations (which every class I took assigned one or more of). I would say the subject matter was of a similar difficulty or more difficult than Berkeley classes. But on the bright side, because classes met so rarely, I had a ton of free time during the semester! Finals week was truly crunch time through.
For political science students considering this program: know that the polisci department is unlikely to accept your classes for full major credit because of the lack of overall lecture hours compared to Berkeley classes! My four polisci classes were only accepted for credit for two total upper div requirements. (But I did get SOME major credit, which not every BSA program allows for!)
My favorite part of studying abroad was the travelling I got to do while there! I got to visit a bunch of new countries and even spent 10 days travelling alone. I truly loved getting to see all of the art and monuments from around Europe that I've been learning about my whole life in person for the first time. With my other major being ancient Greek and Roman studies, my trip to Greece during fall break was especially amazing. Visiting the Acropolis really was like a religious experience for me! I think it's incredibly cool to stand in a place that has been visited by millions of people before you and will be visited by millions after, and to feel yourself as a piece of the globe.
I feel like I grew so much as a person while abroad. I learned what it means to really be on my own, to be fully responsible for myself, and to make my way through situations that are new and uncomfortable. I now feel so confident that I can go anywhere in the world, and with the skillset I have I can find a way to have a good time and also come home safe. My academic confidence also improved quite a bit. And I'm WAY better at French now!
Be honest with yourself about what you're ready for. Studying abroad is amazing and life-changing, but it can also be extremely difficult. Try not to come into the experience with super high (or low) expectations--there's no way to know what kind of time you'll have until you're there. And don't forget that studying abroad is what you make of it! Don't be afraid to reach out to new people and try new things! Openness to new experiences and making the best of things when you run into snags is what really makes or breaks your time abroad.
If you're attending Sciences Po, it's really easy to feel intimidated by all of the super intelligent and accomplished students and faculty there (and there are a lot who take themselves pretty seriously). Don't be! Sciences Po is super international and a hub for people at all kinds of experience levels who are looking for a world-class education. You belong there just as much as anyone else! Enjoy being at such a great school as much as you want while you have the chance. (And if you're not fluent in French and you're concerned about meeting people, don't worry. Plenty of other students there aren't fluent either, and pretty much all of them know English and are looking to meet other non-Francophones!)