As a Pacific Islander born in a family with two parents who did their undergraduate studies abroad, there was almost evidence that after graduating from high school I would move away from my island to study. My first destination was Paris where I got into a double bachelor’s degree in politics and economics. This first year was very complicated emotionally because I did not like the career I chose, and because I was only 18 years old and it was the very first year faraway from my family and my island.

Challenges: People behaved differently than what I was used to, the winter was extremely tough in comparison with Tahiti where we had no winter at all, and exams were very challenging. 

How did I manage to get through?

1.        Friends

As my parents were aware of the difficulties of the first year abroad at such a very young age, they put me in an international student hostel called “Foyer International des Etudiantes”. This student hostel was created by an American philanthropist over 100 years ago whose goal was to provide a house for international girls who wanted to study in Paris. The same mindset has kept up to today, and I found myself surrounded by girls coming from all around the world. It was really amazing to live and share with them on a daily basis, and I truly recommend the “Foyer” to everyone who wants to spend a few months or a year studying in Paris, but be aware to plan your stay in advance because getting a room is quite difficult as the demand is high.

2.        Exploring Paris by bike

The student hostel was located at the heart of Paris in the Latin quarter which is one of the best and safest. The subway in Paris is known for not being the most attractive and cleanest one, thus I bought myself a bike and started going all around the city with it. It really changed my perception of the life because the monuments are great, the roads are created for bikes and the city is not actually big so it is perfect to use bikes. I really recommend it!

 After passing the first semester and realizing that I was still not enjoying my degree, I took the decision to change my career. I kept on studying in Paris, but at the same time I started applying to many different universities and I got in a double bachelor’s degree in international relations between Hong Kong Baptist University and Sciences Po Bordeaux (France).

Hong Kong

There were barely any negative aspects about my two years in Hong Kong. The studies were relatively chill, which gave me a lot of time to explore the city, its beaches, hikes and parties. After a very challenging year in Paris, I really enjoyed having this lifestyle!

Positive aspects about the university: the university really has money in comparison with French universities so you could have subsidies for a lot of personnal project. They also provide dormitories at the university which are very cheap (around 250USD per month). You are free to select courses from a wide range of course onoffer, the campus is great, and the university team of athletics is good.

Positive aspects about Hong Kong: parties, safeness at all times and in all places, people coming from all around the world, the perfect combo of city & nature, possibility to find internships easily etc.

Negative aspects: classes were not very interesting in comparison with France.

After the two years in Hong Kong, my degree required me to go to Sciences Po Bordeaux, in the South of France.

Bordeaux (France)

Leaving such an active and intense city like Hong Kong to move to Bordeaux (medium-size city) was not easy. I was used to the capital-like rhythm and it took me a lot of time to adjust to Bordeaux.

Positive aspects: there are a lit of vineyards all around Bordeaux, nice Bachata classes on Sundays, it’s a pretty city with old monuments, the sea is not far, Paris is only 3 hours away by train, the harbour side/river bank is very pretty, a lot of wet markets to enjoy on weekends, very flat and thus easy to move around by bike, nice theaters and shows.

Negative aspects: rent is expensive, public transportation fails quite often, it rains a LOT, most university campuses are not in the city center.

After completing 2 years in Bordeaux, I am now on my way to move back to Asia, more precisely to Taipei where I will be completing the last year of my Masters. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions about Paris, Hong Kong, Bordeaux or Taipei!