Hamzah Bin Zaid

Overseas Exchange at Sciences Po, Paris

Sciences-Po. The name elicits emotive adulations on an institution almost mirabile dictum with the political sciences, having produced many notable French academics and politicians. A Grand Ecole set up in the 1870s to create a new class of administrators for France. Imagine my excitement upon discovering my placement for an exchange at such a prestigious Institution, the very institution that borne the likes of Marcel Proust, Jacques Chirac and Francois Mitterrand.

Moving To France

Paris is an amazing city, a city of both romanticism and existentialism, an interesting dichotomy. You can almost feel the emotive aspects wafting through the air as you walk down one of their famed thoroughfares, Boulevard St Germain, Boulevard Haussmann come to mind. To say it is beautiful would be an understatement. Living in Paris is an experience only a city of such gravitas can provide. It is almost like living in a dream, except encapsulated by the boundaries of reality.

It seems that one can only meet 2 out of 3 criteria when selecting an apartment: (1) amount of space, (2) reasonable rent, and (3) location. The cost of living in Singapore seems inexpensive in comparison to Paris. I was fortunate to have found one reasonably priced apartment located near the Bastille, though admittedly after much perusing through several accommodation websites. However, my efforts paid dividends. The 11th Arrondissement is a wonderful place, full of joie de vivre, vigour and Bohemians; a place any young person living in Paris should experience.

Word of caution though, never expect Singaporean standards of efficiency.

Sciences Po

Being the only SMU student on exchange here, I enrolled in the School’s Welcome Programme, which was an orientation of sorts for the international students. Though expensive (250€), it was worth every cent. I made a lot of friends from various countries and universities around the world. The cultural exchange cannot be replicated. The Welcome Programme had a very French touch with boat cruises, a Lourve and Montmartre tour, and a wine-and-cheese night. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and I met most of my close friends in Sciences Po from the programme.

Being ranked 4th in the world for Political Science, I was evidently excited to take modules congruent to my interests yet pragmatic enough to ensure said modules can be utilised to clear credits. Needless to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed being under the tutelage of many respected academics, most top of their fields. My tutorial mentor for the Political Thought module was taught by the renowned political philosopher Pierre Manent, something I was admittedly star-struck about.

A proud achievement that I have attained is pulling off an amazing presentation on John Locke, testament of SMU’s penchant for producing charismatic speakers. However, classes are more rigorous than back home, with a lot of emphasis on intellectual discourse and philosophical cogitations. Reading lists here are in such lengths that those back at SMU pale in comparison. However, if you enjoy academic rigour and would like to push yourself intellectually, Sciences Po fits naturally!

Having Fun

Paris is a lively city with a multitude of activities that cater to all interests. Museum aficionados will be delighted to know that entries to all museums are free for students. Every arrondissement has their own character and charm and one can easily placate desires for adventure and fun by visiting different arrondissements on different days (or nights).

Having made many International friends, I spent most of my free time casually lolling around in Parisian parks (in the summer), visiting places of interest using our student privilege card, watched 2 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) soccer games, and heading out to different nightspots during the weekends. It was enjoyable and the experience was made all the more pleasant being with people whose company I really cherish.

Paris is also conveniently located in the middle of Europe, with many transport links via air, bus or rail to the rest of the EU. Thanks to Schengen, travelling out of Paris to the rest of the EU was effortless. I took the opportunity to visit my ACS friends in London too, the closest family I have in Europe.

Travelling to Belgium with my close friends from Sciences Po was the best in my opinion; great company always makes everything better. Bonding closer to people you already are close with through travels is truly one of life’s best.