Victoria: "The experience itself is invaluable"
As part of the 30th anniversary of Erasmus, Irish students share with us their French experience. Discover Victoria's story:
Tell us a bit about yourself!
So I come from Firhouse in Dublin 24. Currently I am a first year (1A) student in Sciences Po. Paris on our delocalised campus at Dijon.
The study programme at the Sciences Po Undergraduate College is unique in that it includes a common core of social sciences courses (law, economics, history, political science, humanities and sociology), a major (Economy & Society, Political Humanities or Politics & Government), as well as specialised courses according to specific regional focuses (Central and Eastern Europe on the Dijon campus, Asia on the Le Havre Campus, Middle-East and Mediterranean on the Menton campus, Europe & Franco-German Region on the Nancy campus, Latin America on the Poitiers Campus, North America or Africa on the Reims campus; the Paris Campus offers a general social sciences programme). The curriculum is laid out over 3 years with 2 in France and the final year abroad. It culminates in a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Why did you choose France?
There are numerous reasons that went behind my choice, nonetheless for me I would say the adventure is what attracted me the most. It is one thing to get on the 49 bus and 40mins later be in Trinity or DIT, or maybe take the 39A onto UCDbut moving to another country for further studies is a challenge that I relish in.
Alongside that, the opportunities embodied by Science Po were incredibly attractive compared to anything we have in Ireland. The degree although highly specialised remains multi-disciplinary in nature. The international outlook of the universsity remains largely unmatched by other institutions (45% of the student body is international). The reasons to choose France are endless!
What are the outcomes from your study programme in France and international experience?
Regardless of how cliché it is, personal development. As I said studying abroad is a challenge, you have to learn to be an adult all while enjoying your new found freedom. The experience itself is unvaluable; between meeting people from various other countries and cultures, learning in a new methodology, fitting into a new system, getting to know your adopted city and country; it teaches you things you could never learn from a book. Lastly, the friends you make trhough these experiences are truly friends for life. Not only that, but my friends are quite literally from every corner of the globe!
Your favorite word in French?
Du coup and quand même if your learn how to use these properly no one would know you’re not French
We hope you enjoyed your French culture shock! Any memorable cultural fact, experience?
After 2 months the most memorable must be every single awkwardly indecisive moment when the French person you just met is waiting on you to lean in for la bise!
The soundtrack of your stay in France?
Have you brought back a French souvenir with you?
I’d imagine I will bring back a lot of memories!
Any French habit you have kept?
Still developing them however so far la bise and most of the typical French facial expressions have become staples.
Where is your next destination?
Paris and Nantes during my next beak. later either Peru or Chile for my third year aborad.
Share with us your motto!
Carpe Diem
