Sciences Po Paris (IEP)

The university does not help students find housing, however I did not find it difficult to locate an apartment. Students should allow themselves around 2 weeks to look for an apartment.

As I mentioned above, I absolutely adored living in Paris and there are limitless things to do there. However, academically the city isn't very conducive to heavy study (lines to get into libraries, no library is open past 10 p.m., etc.). Sciences Po, naturally, compounds this. I have spoken to about 40-50 students in the international program at Sciences Po, and the BEST response I have ever received is that they thought Sciences Po was a "mixed bag." The feelings tend to be more along the lines of, "I can't wait to go home" and "It's horrible," etc. Everyone eventually drops into indifference because they can't stand to put effort into something so pointless...the university is truly counterproductive to the academic experience.

It was really difficult in the beginning to follow lectures and take notes but it was a very gratifying experience when I was finally able to follow - and write it down! Further it was a little bit akward to speak French (especially with German as mother tongue), but it was nice to be "forced" into it and practice my language skills on a daily basis = it really helps a lot to feel comfortable with a language!

Definitely take advantage of Paris' central location to travel.