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In her first blog post, Sophia reflects on the whirlwind of moving to a new city, the practicalities of settling in, and the cultural experiences that await.
Moving abroad is thrilling but can also feel overwhelming with all the logistics involved. To make life easier, it's crucial to get a few things sorted early on.
Like any other major city, finding housing is never straightforward. I was lucky to obtain a CROUS studio, which I applied for as part of Sorbonne’s official registration process. This made things much easier, cutting out some of the stress and expense of finding accommodation.
A French SIM card might not be essential for everyone, but with uncertainties around Brexit and my plans to open a French bank account, I thought it was necessary. I opted for Bouygues, which offers a great deal at €9 per month for 100GB of data.
One of the major highlights for any UCL student in Paris is undoubtedly the Pass Navigo. For €370 a year, students can travel unlimitedly across the Île-de-France network. TfL could NEVER!
If possible, it’s a great idea to move with a close friend or family member. The process can be stressful, and it’s comforting to share the experience with someone. My mum accompanied me, and we took trips to Action, IKEA, and Lidl to gather all the essentials (and a few unnecessary bits and bobs). Make sure your space feels homely - you’ll be staying for several months, after all!
After an emotional farewell with my mum at Gare du Nord, the adventure truly began.
GETTING SOCIALI highly recommend looking online for student organisations that cater to exchange students and getting involved in their events before classes begin. Sorbonne’s Parismus hosted a picnic at the Jardin du Luxembourg which was a great opportunity to meet fellow students and get familiar with the city.
Having a community of UCL and exchange students became invaluable, especially when we navigated the impending culture shock. The structure of French university life is quite different from the UK, with a pronounced hierarchy between students and professors, and different styles of assessment. Another big adjustment was the requirement to create our own timetables. My advice: be proactive. Just turn up to any classes you’re interested in and see if they’re a good fit for you. Even though they’re held in the renowned Sorbonne building, I suggest avoiding final-year modules as they tend to be extremely intense. Study abroad is not only about studying, it’s about exploring too!
As the work piles on (and it really does in history!), it’s crucial to have strategies in place to manage stress. Early on, I made the mistake of isolating myself in my studio, but this quickly left me feeling guilty for not making the most of my time abroad. You don’t want to leave study abroad with regrets, so try to strike a balance between studying and exploring.
One thing I’m glad I did was join Les Amis du Louvre. This €15 membership allows you to skip the massive crowds and access special night events and guided tours - plus, you can bring a friend! The Louvre is enormous, so multiple visits are definitely necessary.
Of course, no experience in Paris is complete without indulging in its legendary pastries. These pastries from Tapisserie hit the spot, and made everyone back home very jealous <3 The peanut Paris-Brest in particular was to die for.
Settling in is a journey, but with a bit of planning and a lot of excitement, it’s a memorable one. I’m already looking forward to future trips during my stay, including a trip to Strasbourg for the Christmas market!