Academic mobility is an opportunity to look at the world wider
Why should you try the possibilities of academic mobility?
When I was in 10th grade, I wanted to enroll in the Higher School of Economics for many reasons, but one of the main reasons was that it had a very transparent and understandable student exchange program. After admission I forgot about my long-time dream to study abroad. Coming to the end of the first year, I remember that the real desire to enter the high school came from the academic mobility. Without thinking long, I found out what documents are needed to apply, what universities I would like to enter.
Academic exchange is an incredible opportunity. In addition to the fact that you get into a completely different environment: new people, new places, new cultures. You also get to know a completely new educational system. (P.S. education in Europe is indeed different, but that doesn't mean it's harder) Immersion in another language, diverse cultures gives you a much broader view of the world. I think this skill is needed now more than ever.
Studying at Sciences Po, what is it like?
Sciences Po organizes a whole week of introductions for all exchange students when they arrive: the Welcome Program. During the whole week you get to know not only the university, but also the different sights of Paris and guys from other countries. The Welcome Program is a unique opportunity to integrate into a variety of cultures. During the first week I met students from America, Israel, Spain, Germany, France, China, and Japan. After such a week most of them become friends with each other.
The education, in my opinion, is very different from the system at the HSE. Spoiler: the feeling is that the Higher School of Economics is much more difficult to study. In Sciences Po most of the subjects are called "seminar". Initially I was very nervous before the first classes, because I thought that all subjects would be built solely on discussions, since they are seminars. However, at the host institution seminars are lectures that last 2 hours. There may be up to 70 students in the room. All of my courses were built solely on this: once a week you just come to class, listen to a lecture for 2 hours and that's it. There are pros and cons to this. The obvious plus is that you have a lot of free time. You can travel, meet new people, learn new places. But the obvious disadvantage is the independence in learning. Many students in Russia have to listen to the material first, then come to the seminar and finally understand it. At Sciences Po there is no such system.
I would like to pay attention to the grading system in the host university: there are a lot of differences here, too. Most often there are literally 2 credits for a course: an exam and a group/individual paper (most often an essay). You do not get more grades during the semester. Most may lose motivation in the period of such training, it will be difficult to force yourself to go to lectures, listen to the material, as only you follow it. However, I liked the system so much: you choose your own learning path. The student sets his own deadlines, chooses his own courses, etc.
The level of sophistication, as I said, is higher at the Higher School of Economics. At least because we have a lot more work: there is seminar activity, presentations, essays, and abstracts. Most subjects at Sciences Po are assessed by means of examinations.
The grading system at my university in Paris consisted of a 20-point scale. The important thing was not to get 3.5 points as is the case at the HSE, but 50% of the total mark.
Walking in Paris
Travel
There is actually plenty of time to explore new cities and countries: some of my friends went away every weekend. You have plenty of free time to immerse yourself in cultures and get to know new guys.
Conclusion
I really want every student to get a taste of the exchange study experience. How much you gain is beyond compare. Try it, make up your mind, and it will work out for you!