Exchange semester in Bordeaux
My name is Helle, and I have spent a semester in Bordeaux in France as part of my masters in Politics and Governance of Global Challenges.
![Sciences Po Bordeaux](https://www.uib.no/sites/w3.uib.no/files/styles/content_main/public/media/sciences_po2.png?itok=QHhZoQ00×tamp=1736777004)
Main content
A few years ago, I went on exchange to Lille in the north of France as part of my bachelors degree. I really enjoyed French culture and everyday life, so I knew that I wanted to do another exchange in France. Thus, Bordeaux was an easy choice!
Student life
Studying at Sciences Po differs a bit from Bergen. Erasmus students are divided into French or English track. I was in the English track, meaning that all of my courses were taught in English. There is also a wide selection of courses to choose from. My courses were mostly related to the discipline of International Relations. Most courses are 4 ECTS, which meant that I took more courses during the semester compared to Bergen. In some courses it is also possible to do extra work, i.e. handing in an extra essay to get 8 ECTS instead. Attendance and in-class participation is also emphasized more at Sciences Po, and often counts toward the final grade. It is also possible take a French language course, which I highly recommend if you want to improve your French.
The student life in Bordeaux is great, and there is always something happening. Erasmix is a Sciences Po association for the international students, and they host a lot of fun events and parties throughout the semester. This is a great way to get to know people, especially in the beginning. There are also a lot of student associations to join at Sciences Po. Me and some friends joined the popular wine association 'Vins/20', which hosts weekly wine tastings and visits to different wineries.
Bordeaux is a beautiful city with nice architecture, culture, and food. The world-famous wine industry is also an important part of the culture. Additionally, there are many nice places to visit outside of Bordeaux. A highlight from my stay would be the daytrips to Arcachon, Saint-Émilion, Biarritz and San Sebastián!
Advice for future students
It can be convenient to learn some basic French in advance, as you may encounter people who do not speak English very well. Additionally, it can be a bit difficult to find housing in Bordeaux. My advice would be to start looking for housing as early as possible.
On a final note, Bordeaux is an amazing city and I would really recommend an exchange semester there!