Why I want to study in Paris next semester

Sorry! I know I promised to write at least once a month, and I still owe you those stories about Xi'an, Tokyo, and Shanghai, but right now I want to share with all of you (my three followers, haha) the essays that I had to write as part of my application to Sciences Po in Paris, where I want to study next semester. Tell me what you think!

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Essay 1: What attracted you about the program at Sciences Po?

It is my goal to become as close to fluent in four languages as possible before I graduate in 2012, and spending a semester in France is essential to accomplish this. The Sciences Po program immediately caught my attention at the study abroad fair during my freshman year, not only because it happens to be housed in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but because the university enjoys a worldwide reputation as one of the best in the areas of international relations, politics and economics. Sciences Po boasts a list of influential alumni, excellent faculty and students from more than seventy countries. Studying pressing international and social issues alongside some of the brightest people in the world is an opportunity that cannot be missed. It thrills me to think I would be able to attend lectures on the role of the European Union as an international actor, for example, or learn about the perceived threats posed by the Middle East, in French, with French students, and from a French point of view.

While it is clear that a semester in Paris would greatly benefit my French, I also believe that studying at Sciences Po would enrich my academic experience at USC, as well. Sciences Po’s unique pedagogical method centers on the importance of debate and clearly articulated written and oral expression, which are useful qualities to possess in any academic setting.

I understand that Sciences Po would be tremendously challenging, but that is precisely why I am eager to participate in the program. Even if I struggle to grasp every word during a lecture at first, or if I experience uncomfortable moments during my homestay experience, I am sure that I will come out of the program smarter, stronger, and with a deeper world view of the problems that I will hopefully one day help solve.

Essay 2: What kind of research would you want to do while in Paris?

One issue that has been getting a lot of attention in the press lately, and which I find fascinating, is France’s sense of national identity, and how immigrants are reshaping what it means to be French. Parliament recently approved a ban on the burqa and niqab, and President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for the deportation of thousands of Roma – gypsies that have lived in camps across the country for years. Many foreign leaders and international institutions worry that France is exhibiting xenophobic behavior, yet others praise the French government for aggressively protecting the security of the state amidst the uncertainty of a post-9/11 era.

I see a parallel between these recent French policies and the reemergence of the immigration issue in the U.S. political arena. Arizona’s SB1070 and the recent debate centering on whether or not to grant U.S. citizenship to children of parents who are in the country illegally have faced similar criticism, but also enjoy support from different sectors across the political spectrum. A comparison between French and American immigration policy and citizenship laws would make for a great research project, in my opinion. What is more, Sciences Po offers a course called Immigration Studies: Europe and the U.S., which would be the perfect complement to the project. Naturally, being so close to actual public opinion in France regarding these issues would give my research a unique edge that could not be acquired anywhere else.

Essay 3: Aside from studying and traveling, what would you like to do in Paris?

Living in Paris is a privilege that few are able to enjoy, and must therefore be taken advantage of. I have only visited Paris once before and was only there for four days, so I have lots of exploring to do. I want to spend an entire day at the Louvre, and not just run around for three hours trying to cover as much ground as possible. I want to spend an afternoon by myself at Les Deux Magots, reading, people-watching, and pretending to be one of the countless intellectuals who have graced this café with their presence in years past. Obviously, by the end of my four months in Paris, I need to be able to navigate the métro system like a local.

Ideally, all the members of my host family will be superb cooks, and they will teach me how to make a few French dishes. I want to take a wine tasting class, and have a picnic with friends at the Jardin du Luxembourg with a basket full of camembert and brie. I want to practice my French with people everywhere, and hope that their reputation as rude and anti-American individuals is just an unfounded rumor.

Finally, I want to run the Paris Marathon on April 11th. I have only recently started running with my dad, and completed a half marathon in Palos Verdes in May, but I am sure that running one of the most beautiful races in the world along the Seine would be an unforgettable experience for any runner, amateur or experienced.

Essay 4: How would you prepare for your semester abroad?

Part of the experience of studying abroad is facing unexpected challenges and learning how to overcome them, and it is impossible to plan everything up to the very last detail. However, there are a few things that I would want to do before leaving Los Angeles. Brushing up on my French would be a priority. Be it by watching films, listening to news online, or reading every French magazine or book I can get a hold of, I would like to be as immersed as possible in the language even before getting there.

Second, I want to be more familiar with the inner workings of Sciences Po. Coincidentally, I have just met three students from Sciences Po that are spending their mandatory year abroad at USC this year, so I am sure I will be able to receive great advice from them. I want to know which professors to take, which ones to avoid, how best to meet people on campus, and where to have fun during the weekends. I am also aware that the Office of Overseas Studies has plenty of helpful resources, and that I can read reviews of the program written by students who participated in the program last semester.

Third, I know several French professors and TAs at USC that would gladly share their experiences with me and help me prepare for my semester abroad. They can provide me with tips on how to navigate and become used to French social etiquette, for example, and on how to gain the most out of the program academically, as well.