By Krystof Stupka
Integration week has just kicked off and our photography editor Krystof Stupka had the chance to meet ten randomly selected first-year students and interview them about their thoughts on Sciences Po so far. As a part of the interview, students were asked to pose for two pictures: the first, an emotional one to symbolize how they feel about integration week. The second, a pose that summarizes the stereotypical Sciences Po student (these are at the end of each interview).
Ayesha – 1A EURAM – Toronto, Canada
What do you think so far about integration week?
“Sciences Po is essentially a frat house with incredible organising skills. I think this is what happens when a frat house is run effectively. I am having a fun time being lead by beautiful, charismatic and efficient 2As.”
Matt – 1A EURAM – France/Swiss
What are your first impressions of the students here?
“They are super sweet, from the 1As everyone is here for a new life and everyone wants to connect… All the 2As I’ve met are incredible and I love everyone.”
What are your main anxieties for the upcoming year?
“Everyone here is the best of the best, but am I even going to be able to pass classes? I took Arabic and Spanish that is above my level and I have Mr Fayad for math and everyone’s been freaking me out about him.”
Maxime – EURAF 1A – Amiens, France
What are your main anxieties that you are unsure about for the upcoming year?
“I am really worried about the methodology and how you work at Sciences Po, because it’s pretty different from the French system.”
What do you think so far about the integration week?
“I’ve honestly never imagined it could be so much fun, the bar night was especially fun but walking home from there was so crazy as I was pretty drunk.”
Eleonore – 1A EURAM – Nancy, France
What are your first impressions of the students here?
“The best thing about the students here is that they support each a lot and whenever you need help there will be someone for you….Also, I’ve met some exchanges and they seem like the coolest bunch!”
What do you think so far about the integration week?
“It is really important that our relationships are not only based on work and I think that everyone from 2A is doing such a great job on integrating us.”
Rhita – 1A EURAF – Morocco
What are your first impressions of the students here?
“It’s very diverse here, I love that there are many nationalities represented but we still all hang out together, you don’t stay within your country and you meet people from everywhere.”
What are you excited for in the future at Sciences Po?
“It’s going to sound very nerdy but I am so excited about the academics and classes. What you are learning here is exactly what I want to learn.”
Ipo – 1A – Biarritz, France
What are your main anxieties for the upcoming year?
“Am I going to get enough sleep?”
What do you think so far about integration week?
“It’s crowded, there are many people we don’t get to meet and while the events are very nice I wish there were more events where you can just talk to people, like speed dating.”
Valentin – 1A EURAM – Rennes, France
What are your first impressions of the students here?
“Hard to define. When I entered the campus, I felt like I entered a new world…All students are so nice, the 2As are awesome and the atmosphere between all students and even the administration is very cool.”
What do you think so far about the ongoing integration week?
“So many great moments, my personal favourite was an event called the 300, my memory of that is amazing (I think I remember everything). And honestly, the worst is probably just the methodology lessons.”
Martin – 1A EURAM – Prague
What are your thoughts about the 0-week academic program?
“I skipped my class this morning because I needed to sleep in. But yesterday was a bit confusing. While it was good to know, it was weirdly introduced to us and it almost felt a little out of place. But I feel confident about the academic program that is to follow and I hope this week will help me be a better student.”
Christing – 1A EURAM – Dublin
What do you think so far about integration week?
“It’s amazing…the fun part is that we are just tricked into drinking but I am enjoying it. It’s an amazing excuse to go wild for a while, without anyone judging you.”
What are your thoughts about the 0-week academic program?
“This morning, I had to do a book review exercise and I stood up to present it and bashed into a table and I ended up shaking all the time of the presentation, all because of my terrible hangover!”
