Advice and Reflections from Menton - Ryley

Ryley offers insights on life at the Menton campus and shares details about navigating challenges in a foreign country, travel opportunities as a student, and how to balance the rigorous academic environment with the amazing experiences all around Menton.

Since returning to the United States, following the stress of finals and last-minute packing, I can confidently reflect that enrolling in the Dual Degree Program was the best decision I could have made. When I chose this type of program, I was expecting an enriching undergraduate experience: one where I could push the boundaries of my comfort zone in a foreign setting. My entire lA experience exceeded this expectation. I have met amazing people, learned from incredibly knowledgeable teachers, traveled, and found opportunities I would not have gained elsewhere. However, this year had its challenges: moving to a foreign country, meeting new people, and becoming independent. Yet, the rewards of this unique experience, like studying in Monaco or learning French through dinners with locals, make it worthwhile.

The most impactful insight I have gained from my first year is that everyone's journey differs. When first starting university, it becomes easy to compare your experiences to others or to feel that others are doing a "better job" at adjusting to college life. But, the reality of the matter is that everyone is truly trying to figure out what they want out of their university experience, just like you - even though it may not seem like it at times. Every student is learning how to manage cooking at home, and finding time to shop in between study sessions and weekend parties. Also, what each person wants out of their first-year experience differs. Personally, I enjoyed participating in associations during my free time, similar to high school. I conducted research in Cyprus with the Babel Initiative, participated in SPMUN and MEDMUN (Mediterranean Model United Nations) conferences, and volunteered with Sciences Po Refugee Help. However, other peers took time to travel throughout Europe and North Africa, take on internships, work locally, and engage in student life. Something I appreciate about the Dual Degree program is how it affords opportunities to travel. While I traveled comparatively less than other students, I still visited places locally in the South of France along with Cyprus, Turkey, Malta, and Greece. Your first year is truly what you make of it.

Despite these differences, due to the small-knit nature of the Menton campus, it became easy to find like-minded friends and peers. Every student on campus, I feel, has a sense of passion for their studies. At Sciences Po, I find myself talking about readings or current events with peers in casual conversation. Although Menton has a diverse student body, every person has a unique interest they take pride in and are willing to share with others, and you can find common ground with practically any student. On this note, the one thing I love about the Menton campus is something we are renowned for: !'ambiance. Whether it was attending the inter-campus WEIS (week-end intersportif) sports competition or hosting MEDMUN, the Menton campus showcases how to unite a student body with Arabic music, group dancing, and the occasional "Sara perche ti amo." With Menton being a small town, you can always feel at home. People are more than willing to help you if you ever need it. Being connected to the 2As and 3As also means getting advice on future internships or parcour civique opportunities from people who have already completed them. Apartment-hosted dinners and aperols on the beach are the campus norm that makes the undergraduate transition so much easier. I lived in Villa Jasmin, the women's student residency, for my entire IA. While it did not appeal to many, I liked the community of the Villa, being able to go down for dinner and have hour-long chats with friends or borrow spices if I ever ran out. If you want a strong sense of community, to live by the beach, and to explore the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern studies, the Menton campus is for you.

One of the difficulties I had this past year was navigating academic expectations. Most essays I wrote were in the French dissertation (problematique) style, which, as I took AP classes in high school, was not something I had previously experienced. In turn, the analysis that was expected differed from what I was used to, along with the grading scale and teaching style. After the first semester, it becomes much easier to understand said expectations, as they often go unsaid at the beginning of the year. Moreover, as each lecturer has different teaching and educational backgrounds, each individual's style greatly varies, bringing variety to each class. Also, I want to highlight that before Sciences Po I had never once studied French ( apart from a summer course before the start of classes) which made opening a bank account, communicating with administration, understanding terms used on campus, and even day-to-day life a bit more difficult. In this regard, it becomes difficult to fully integrate. To see significant progress in French, you have to take more independent initiative, which is something I aim to work towards in my 2A. But, reflecting on my 1A, I think this obstacle was an additional challenge that was inevitable if seeking an international educational experience.

If I had to offer one piece of advice to incoming 1As, I would take a chapter from the Menton campus's unwritten handbook: work hard, play hard. In Sciences Po, it can become incredibly easy to fall prey to the competitive academic environment and constantly feel like you want to do more. But, especially in your first year, it is crucial to take care of yourself, spend time with friends, travel, participate in associations, and explore your passions alongside your studies. While it can be very difficult to manage all this at the same time, try your best as avoiding burnout can truly make a difference. To those who are considering applying to the Sciences Po-Berkeley Dual Degree program, I cannot stress enough how valuable this experience is. Not only is the experience at Sciences Po unparalleled, but the support you will receive from the lovely individuals managing this Dual Degree Program is incredible. I cannot recommend this program enough, and this past year has truly been a fantastic one. To future 1As, welcome and best of luck!!