I am sad to say that my time abroad in Paris has officially come to an end. However, now that my experience has finished, I can properly reflect on the time I spent abroad and how it has impacted me.
To start, I want to touch on my academic experience at Sciences Po Paris. The institution itself is generally very well esteemed in Europe (and outside of Europe), and this is certainly reflected in the courses offered, the student body, and the staff and administration. When deciding which program I wanted to do when coming abroad, I knew I wanted something that would be academically challenging and also allow me to immerse myself in a completely new school system. At Sciences Po, I experienced both; accredited professionals that I was lucky enough to have as my professors distributed coursework that was both interesting and thought-provoking. At the same time, I was getting accustomed to a foreign system of teaching and learning. Although different from the modes of learning that I was used to having in the US, I eventually came to appreciate this new experience as part of my study abroad journey. Through this academic process, I felt truly immersed in French culture and European culture more broadly.
As for the social part of my study abroad experience, I can easily say that through my experiences and my interactions with others I have truly come to know myself in the best way possible. With regards to my day to day life, I learned to tackle obstacles I didn't necessarily even know were obstacles. Everyday was new and this was not something I was used to. I am someone who is very adamant on having a routine, and here, this was thrown off to say the least. I was forced to be slightly uncomfortable dealing with the fact that I wasn't necessarily going to have a set routine and every single day was going to be different. Once I realized this fact, I began to live in the moment and tell myself that this is something that I will only experience once in my life so I need to make the most of it.
My study abroad experience was encapsulated by several different things including first and foremost, the study aspect, but also traveling, making new friends, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, learning new things, discovering unique facets of life, and learning to be the most independent I have ever been. Living in Paris also meant that I got to travel all over Europe, which was a great opportunity. Overall, I had to adjust to a whole new life but doing so was incredibly worthwhile. Studying abroad is an experience I without a doubt recommend and if you choose to take on this journey, make sure to make every moment worthwhile. The four months fly by so take advantage of every moment you have!
Alexandra Kicior
Spring 2023
GW Paris - Sciences Po (GW Study Program)
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs and Geography Double Major