French Sciences Po students reflect on a semester at UNE
“My favorite thing is the campus, I would say, the nature, the atmosphere, the fresh air.” As the Fall 2016 semester draws to a close, Vincent Seroussi is reflecting on his experiences as an exchange students studying at the University of New England. “I’m from Paris, so it’s a very polluted city and this is very calm here, good to study, and people are very nice, very friendly and dedicated to their work.”
Seroussi is one of four students from the prestigious Institut des Études Politiques (IPE) at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. UNE signed a student exchange agreement with Sciences Po, as the institution is known, in April 2015. The partnership involves a reciprocal exchange of students: Sciences Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye can send students to UNE’s campuses in Maine and Morocco, and UNE students can study at Sciences Po near Paris. Courses available at both institutions are taught in English, but UNE students can also take a course in the French language.
Seroussi says one of the advantages is the diversity of the educational experience UNE offers. Because Sciences Po is primarily a political science institution, the classes are narrowly focused. At UNE, he has been able to branch out, taking classes in marketing and the arts. “I’m glad to be here, first because of the education. You have a huge range of classes to pick with people who work hard.”
Seroussi also took the Center for Global Humanities seminar series course this fall. Over the course of the semester, he has read texts about the historic struggle between Muslims and Christians in the Mediterranean, Muslim fashion, the consequences of enhanced airport security in the post-9-11 world, and other topics of global concern. He and his classmates have also met those texts’ authors and listened to their public lectures on the UNE Portland Campus.
“Vincent has brought a valuable European perspective to the class,” explained Josh Pahigian, M.F.A., fellow in the Center for Global Humanities. “Through his active participation in class discussions and group projects, he has consistently challenged his American peers to look beyond their usual biases. He’s been a great addition to the class.”
Solenne Prat has had a similar experience this semester. A passionate athlete, she not only participated in Volleyball at UNE, she also took classes in sports law and sports management. Prat said she took the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of UNE’s Biddeford campus and to explore the Maine Coast. “It’s really cool because at the beginning of the year I could surf. I also went on a boat around Portland, so it was really great to see the Maine coast with the beaches and the view. It’s very cool to do these activities in this beautiful place.”
It’s an experience both students say they would recommend to anyone interested in studying abroad. “I’m very glad to be here because there are a lot of helpful people,” says Prat. “They really want us to have a good experience. The campus is designed that we have a good life here. Everything is close, we can go surfing we can go to the beach, we have a lot of facilities to do sports, so I really love the campus life with the supporting community, between students and all the activities that UNE offers here.”
To learn more about UNE’s Global Education programs, visit www.une.edu/global/ed
To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions