Une Semaine à la Sorbonne

Join Sophia for a week in the life, as she settles into her second (and final!) term at Sorbonne.

My week begins at the Clignancourt campus in the north of Paris, and it takes me around an hour to get there from mine. When planning your timetable it’s important to factor in travel time between campuses if need be! Today I will be at Clignancourt all day.

9:30 - 11:30 French Grammar class
I recommend classes with the SIAL FLE department, as they’re aimed at foreign students, and are a good way to cut down on workload. I’m taking six credits (two classes) with them this term.

1hr30 BREAK

I usually walk around 20mins to Montmartre to find a cafe to eat and work. If I don’t have too much work, I like to get my steps in and discover this charming (and very hilly) neighbourhood.

13:00 - 14:00 Modern Middle East History lecture

1hr BREAK
I’ll use this time to work in the library opposite the lecture theatre.

15:00 - 18:00 Spanish class

WEDNESDAY

One of the biggest culture shocks was that classes in French universities can start as early as 8:00 and end as late as 21:00!

8:30 - 10:30 General French class in main Sorbonne

2hr BREAK

I’ll usually head to Pret, round the corner and mash out work.
TOP TIP: Across from Pret is a printing shop called Papyros. France is very paper based so you will need to print things - make sure to bring cash!
My next class is at Malesherbes and I anticipate around 45mins to commute.

12:30 - 14:00 Contrastive Linguistics lecture
This module is lecture only so I attend every week as you never know when you might have an assessment instead of teaching!

2hr BREAK
Library/café stop and commute back to the main Sorbonne.

16:00 - 19:00 Comparative literature class

THURSDAY

We have another full day at Clignancourt!

10:00-11:00 Ancient Egypt lecture

1hr BREAK
Lunch and catchup with friend

12:00 - 14:00 Ancient Egypt class

30min BREAK
Library session

14:30 - 16:30 Modern Middle East History class
Typically I’ll end the day here and head home, but if I’m feeling up to it I’ll meet some friends in Place de Contrescarpe, a very lively spot near Sorbonne and potentially indulge in a cheeky crêpe...

FRIDAY - MONDAY

To everyone’s disbelief I have my Mondays and Fridays free. This was a stroke of luck as well as some proactivity and organisation on my part, most only have one full day off in their timetable. I try to get most of my work done in breaks between classes to make the most of my long weekend!

Here’s a list of what I have done thus far this term, and what I plan to do in the future:

● On Fridays or Sundays I try out a new pâtisserie. I fell in love with this black sesame tart from Les Trois Chocolats in the Marais neighbourhood.