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Jasmine is a dual degree student in the class of 2024 who attended the Reims campus of Sciences Po! Here she gives an overview of what incoming students can expect in terms of social events during their time at Sciences Po.
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SOCIAL EVENTS AT SCIENCES PO (REIMS)
Social life is very rich at Sciences Po, and the people you meet will likely be a highlight of your experience! Beyond dinners and activities organized between friends, the university administration and clubs on campus organize many fun events. Here’s a glimpse into what some of these look like! I can personally speak to my experiences on the Reims campus, but there are similar events on the other campuses that I will also mention (and of course feel free to reach out to ambassadors from Le Havre or Menton if you would like to know more).
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INTEGRATION WEEK
The BDE (Bureau des Élèves - a permanent bureau organizing student life) organizes integration week for incoming students at the beginning of the year. The BDE at each campus will post more specific information about this week-long series of events over the summer, and incoming students will be able to buy a ticket in advance. The events include formal welcome and introductory events hosted by the administration on campus, bar nights and parties hosted by the BDE which students can sign up for, dinners hosted by second-years in their apartments, tours of the city, and games throughout the day. I strongly encourage all students to participate because this is one of the best opportunities to meet new people, make friends, and become familiar with various associations that new students may want to join! I met some of my best friends during my “running dinner,” an event where the BDE pairs up a group of 1As with a group of 2As to have dinner together.
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ORGANIZED TRIPS
Ski Trip: Before the start of the second semester, the AS (Association Sportive) at Reims typically organizes a ski trip. Usually, there are limited spots so students have to be quick to sign up. I know so many people who have spoken of this trip as one of the highlights of their experience and a real bonding moment. It’s an amazing opportunity to ski— or learn to ski— in the French alps! Some years there has also been a surf trip organized in the spring!
Other Day Trips: Different associations may also organize day/weekend trips for a good price or for free. In Reims, these included trips to Strasbourg and Brussels, or cultural outings in Paris. In Le Havre, these varied from visiting the cathedral in Rouen or going on cheese tastings in Honfleur. In Menton these include hiking to Roman ruins or villages in foothills above the coast or to art museums in Nice.
BDE FALL AND SPRING GALA
In Reims, the BDE typically organizes two galas during the year. Our campus bands have live performances, photographers take pictures throughout the night, and there’s a theme everyone can dress up for! Previous galas have been held in the Palais du Tau (the palace of the archbishop of Reims, next to the cathedral) or at Pommery’s beautiful champagne house. Each campus has its own version of these galas— in Le Havre, for example, the BDE organized the Christmas Ball in the fall and an official Gala in the spring and in Menton the fall semester Gala is often held at the beach in Menton while the spring Gala has been held in the past, for example, at a villa on the beach in Italy.
RIMUN (Reims International Model United Nations)
In the spring, RIMUN (or the respective MUN association on each campus) organizes a Model UN conference in which students from other campuses can also participate. Students can can join as delegates, and there are plenty of options and opportunities for students who have never done MUN before to participate in both French and English! This is a great way to blend both social and academic experiences, and connect with students from other Sciences Po campuses. To celebrate the end of the weekend, RIMUN also organizes a gala so students can dress up, dance, and have a glass of champagne if they want to!
CHAMPAGNE/WINE TASTINGS (specific to the Reims campus)
Reims is the capital of the Champagne region and is surrounded by beautiful vineyards! The CTC (Champagne Tasting Club) is in contact with many champagne houses from the region that come on campus to host tastings. These tastings are held in the campus’s old kitchens (from when it was a Jesuit school), costing from 5-10 euros for multiple glasses of champagne accompanied by wine and cheese. This is a fun way to dress up a little more elegantly than usual and learn more about this French local delicacy with your friends.
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WEIC (Weekend Intercampus)
This is a major sports event where sports teams from all campuses gather together and compete against each other at a different host campus each year. It’s a moment of school spirit shared by each campus— in Reims, everyone dresses up in purple and orange and the UV (school spirit association) leads chants to support our campus teams!
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ASSOCIATION PARTIES
You will get your first taste of association parties during integration week, but they will also often be hosted throughout the year to raise money for association activities. In my second year in Reims, some of the associations that held big parties were Expose (fashion club) and ALAS (Association for Latin American Solidarity)!
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