Bonjour from Paris! Now that I’ve been abroad at the Sciences Po Paris program for over a month now, I can say that I have settled in and found somewhat of a daily routine. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are my school-heavy days, and the rest of the week is dedicated to exploring Paris, going on trips, and spending time with new friends.
On Wednesday I have three classes, from 10:15 to 9:15, each two hours long with two and a half hours between each. I wake up and make myself breakfast in my kitchen, which I am fortunate enough to have to myself. Given that I Iive in a studio-like apartment in a student housing building, I am able to have the mornings and evenings to myself. The kitchen in particular has been very useful as it gives me the option to cook my own meals and ultimately save a great deal of money that would otherwise be spent at restaurants and cafés.
After getting ready, I head out to the metro station, a two minute walk from my building. Given that I am here for a few months and must commute to school (and other places), I have invested in a monthly metro pass that can be reloaded at the beginning of each month. Within my first month here, I have made great use of the card and certainly got my money’s worth, as I use the metro at least twice a day, everyday. At first the commute can be intimidating as the fast-paced city life is seemingly concentrated on the metro, but now that I am accustomed to it I can say that I enjoy riding the metro and it is something I look forward to; it is an opportunity to get an intimate glance into the lifestyle of Parisians in their day-to-day lives, while also having the means to discover the city and its many arrondissements (or neighborhoods).
My first class is located at my favorite Sciences Po campus called Saint-Thomas. The campus was recently constructed in 2021, so its look is modern with many urban, Parisian features. The class, Intelligence in the Private and Public Sectors, is always a great start to my day as it discusses a topic that is of great interest to me. My next class, Geopolitics and Heritage Dynamics of the Balkans is also a fascinating class that requires multiple presentations and essays as assignments. The style of teaching and learning, as well as the types of assignments, is something that is significantly different from GW and other American universities, so it took a while to get used to. I nonetheless enjoy these modes of learning and I have come to appreciate the European classroom setting. After my school day is finished, I usually get home and make something to eat, or I grab something quick on the way. Wednesdays always feel long but I am sure to dedicate a majority of the day (including my free time) to schoolwork and any other academic or professional related tasks I need to get done. Following dinner I usually call my parents or friends from home, or head upstairs to my friend’s room and spend time with people from the GW Paris - Sciences Po program. I am fortunate to have already met some amazing people through the program, and it is nice that we live in the same building and see each other quite often.
A routine is good to have in order to feel grounded, but the different elements of each day and week keep my overall experience here exciting. Paris will be exciting regardless, but doing new things during my free time gives me the chance to discover as much as I can about the city (and beyond) and also the experiences available to be here. On days when I don’t have classes, I try to get out of the apartment to explore, grocery shop, or run other errands. On weekends, my friends and I have been going on trips outside of Paris as flights are relatively cheap and it is easy to find Airbnbs or hostels during this time of the year. So far we have made it to Zurich, Nice, and Seville. For spring break, we are planning a trip to Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. If you are studying abroad in Europe and have the means, I highly recommend traveling throughout the continent as it is truly the best way to get to know different country’s cultures, languages, and customs.
As I reflect on my time in Paris thus far, I am extremely appreciative of everything I have experienced and all the people I have met. I can’t wait to take on the rest of the semester abroad and return to GW with a fresh perspective and a new adventure under my wing.
Alexandra Kicior
GW Paris
Spring 2023
Elliot School of International Affairs
International Affairs and Geography Major