Are you a UBC undergrad thinking about going on a student exchange? It can be a daunting decision. You might wonder, what's it like spending a year or a semester in another country? How can you prepare? And how do you handle it when things go sideways? We talked with a group of UBC Global Ambassadors who studied abroad with a Go Global program. They spoke with us candidly, sharing their personal impressions, fears and misgivings, best memories, top tips and advice. (This is story is part of a series of Global Exchange Insider interviews.)
Meet 21-year-old Saibrielle Bonner, a 4th-year student majoring in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, minoring in International Relations, in the UBC Faculty of Arts. She was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.
Photo of me outside of Angelina, a popular tea room in Paris (photo: Naomi Manoj)
Before you go
Why did you pick Sciences Po in Paris for your exchange? How did you hear about it?
My top three universities were Sciences Po (Paris Campus), University of Amsterdam and University College London. I heard about these universities through using the Go Global partner university search tool and reading the student reports to see where people in my major typically went. I chose these because I wanted a location from where I could travel to other countries relatively easily. I decided on Sciences Po because I wanted a school that had all these factors, but I also wanted a chance to improve my French in and outside the classroom. SciencesPo is known as a social sciences university, and since my minor is in International Relations, I felt like it would be a perfect fit.
What was the application process like? Any tips?
It was relatively simple. I had to rank my top three university choices and write a paragraph about why I wanted to go on exchange. I also had to submit a document with courses I would be interested in taking at each university. Keep in mind: the courses you write out on your course planning document are not considered the final courses you will take on exchange. However, the course planning guide provides a good opportunity to figure out what type of classes you might want to take and if you like what is offered at each university.
Walking around the 7th arrondissement with the view of the Eiffel Tower (photo: Saibrielle Bonner)
How did you prepare? Anything to be aware of? (travel, cultural differences, classes, etc.)
It’s important to realize that it takes time to process a French visa. My visa application was not a smooth process. When I received my letter of acceptance from my partner institution, I should have applied for my visa right away. Instead, I waited two weeks. This created a delay in my visa processing and caused me to have to reschedule my initial flight to Paris and miss a few days of orientation. In this situation, I just contacted my partner institution and let them know I had issues with my visa, and they were very responsive to my situation. So I recommend to anyone going on exchange to France to apply for your visa as soon as you get the acceptance letter to reduce the chance of your application getting delayed. Although I was late to orientation, I was still able to participate in activities, such as the wine and cheese tasting, visiting the Musée d'Orsay and taking a boat cruise along the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower. This experience reminded me of the importance of staying flexible and adaptable because nothing is guaranteed.
What worries did you have beforehand? How did you overcome the anxiety?
Finding housing. France’s housing crisis makes it difficult for exchange students to find accommodation, especially when you are only there for one term. What I found helpful was looking at my partner university’s website: it provided resources for exchange student housing. I also read the housing section in the Go Global Student Experience Reports from students who went to Sciences Po because they have helpful suggestions of what sites to use. Start searching early and read your partner university’s website. While it can be very worrying in the moment, know that it will all work out.
Saint Michael Vanquishing the Demon in Church of Saint Sulpice (photo: Saibrielle Bonner)
An antique store in Giverny, France (photo: Saibrielle Bonner)
During the experience
How was the overall experience? What did you learn?
I had an amazing experience abroad. The classes I took were engaging, and I appreciated the flexibility that allowed me to balance academics with travelling and spending time with friends. My schedule was perfect for this—I had classes Monday through Wednesday, with a commute of about 25 minutes by train. On Mondays, I had a morning class, followed by a Zumba class I signed up for through the university, and then another class in the evening. Tuesdays were typically just a morning class, while Wednesdays had one class in the early afternoon.
When I wasn’t in class, I spent a lot of time exploring the city, grabbing lunch with friends or working on homework around campus. I really enjoyed having so much free time to discover new places and relax. On weekends, I travelled. Some trips were organized by Erasmus+, an organization that arranges student exchanges and trips; while others, such as a group trip to Normandy, Brittany and Mont St-Michel, were organized by Sciences Po student association. I also planned my own trips with friends to other destinations—Milan, Berlin and Prague. Overall, it was the perfect mix of academic learning, cultural immersion and adventure!
“(For housing) start searching early and read your partner university’s website. While it can be very worrying in the moment, know that it will all work out.”
If you could change something or do it differently, what would you change or do?
The only thing I would do differently is explore France more. While I am grateful I was able to travel to many different countries during my time abroad, I neglected exploring France as much (I never even had the chance to visit Versailles). So, if you are going to France or any country in Europe, while it is appealing to visit other neighbouring countries, don’t forget to explore the country you are in. France has so many beautiful cities—Strasbourg (especially during winter holidays time), Nice, Provence, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux…
Photo of me in a tunnel lit up in Luxembourg (photo: Cassidy Chen)
How were the academics?
While abroad, I took three seminar classes and one language course, equivalent to 12 UBC credits. Seminar classes at Sciences Po are typically once a week for two hours. Language classes below the B2 level are typically twice a week, but since my class was B2 French, it was once a week. One thing I did when I was planning my courses was to schedule them early in the week, so I would have Thursday, Friday and the weekends off to travel or explore the city.
All my classes were in English, except my language course. If you feel confident in your French, I recommend taking a class taught in French. I found that the English classes were much more limited compared to the French ones. While I was able to find classes that I liked, I felt like the French classes had more variety of interesting courses. Something important to note is that Sciences Po is very strict with attendance. If you miss more than two classes, you will fail the course. I truly enjoyed my classes abroad: they gave me the opportunity to meet exchange students from all over the world. Being surrounded by people with diverse opinions, experiences and worldviews broadened my perspective and allowed me to learn about new ideas from different angles.
How was the social aspect?
Sciences Po offered many academic, social and sports clubs. I signed up for weekly, one-hour Zumba classes held throughout the semester. To participate in this class, you need to pay a registration fee and submit a medical certificate signed by a doctor to confirm you are in good health. The location was at a dance studio in the 18th arrondissement, which gave me the opportunity to explore a different area in Paris. I really liked this class because I was able to meet local French students whom I would otherwise have never met because most of my classes were made up of other exchange students.
Sciences Po’s student union, Bureau des Elèves (BDE), organized parties, events and bus trips in France throughout the semester for all students. I signed up for the Normandy, Brittany and Mont St-Michel trip. I liked that because it was an affordable way to explore France with other people. Separately, I took day trips and weekend trips with my friends to Lyon and Giverny to visit the artist Monet’s house.
Outside of campus life, I went to many cafés since café culture is big in Paris. My favourites were Café Louise, Happy Caffe, Azaur Café and Noglu (had gluten food options and was very close to Sciences Po). Being a metropolis city, there are always things to do in Paris. The city has a very strong night life, including bars, clubs and speakeasies. There are also many places to shop, such as flea markets, which are only open on the weekends.
Christmas market in Berlin (photo: Saibrielle Bonner)
Christmas market in the Tuileries Garden in Paris (photo: Saibrielle Bonner)
After the experience
Would you recommend this experience to others? What can they look forward to?
Definitely. Going on exchange has been the highlight of my undergraduate degree. I was able to visit eight countries and make long-lasting friendships with people from around the world. I loved being able to travel with my friends—people I didn’t get to know before going on a group trip and by myself. I feel like I was able to grow as a person, expand my horizons and improve my French language skills.
What was the impact on your academic and personal development?
This experience had a significant impact on my personal growth. One of the key lessons I learned was how to be more independent. For instance, I took a solo trip to Athens, a city where I had never been and didn’t speak the language. During my time there, I ventured out on a day trip to the Temple of Poseidon through a GetYourGuide tour. This was a new kind of adventure for me; I wouldn’t have considered doing something like that before. Living abroad helped me build personal confidence and become comfortable with the idea of doing things on my own.
I also took two law courses: Gender & Queer Law and International Law. This was my first experience studying law as an undergraduate, and it was an invaluable opportunity to learn from a professor at Sciences Po Law School. These courses not only deepened my interest in law, but also reinforced my aspiration to pursue a legal career in the future.
Lookout by Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre (photo: Saibrielle Bonner)
Read more Go Global student stories.