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Before my arrival in France
In this time of COVID-19, most of us are heavily restricted with our physical mobility. When I knew a semester abroad is possible at Sciences Po Toulouse, it wasn’t a difficult decision to accept the offer. The preparation was, however, more uneasy than normal times. The courses available at the partner institution, the transfer of ECTS, the search for accommodation, and the traveling were all hindered by the situation. Going to Toulouse from Berlin by train usually consists of a transfer in Mannheim and then another change in Paris. My first train was unfortunately delayed, which forced me to extend my travel and to stay a night in Paris.
First impression in ToulouseUnlike the other French towns I have visited, the architecture at the center of Toulouse is full of pink. I later discovered in the french language lesson that Toulouse is also known as la Ville rose, which means the pink city. I am also aware of the cultural diversity in Toulouse as the announcement in their modern metro is not solely in the french language. Even on the streets, there are public signs in Occitan. Another surprise I had in the city is the vibrancy despite the pandemic situation. The city square has always been full of people and there were street performances and protests. Shops are allowed to open. These were not something I could have anticipated.
Studies
Most classes are taught in French, but there are also options in English. During the classes, some lecturers would stop and explain something in French to the local students. These interruptions have not affected my following of the course contents. During the online lessons, there is an obvious preference from the lecturers that they would explicitly want us to open the cameras. This culture is new to me since it has never happened in my studies in Germany. I am also blessed to have a course being held on campus with social distancing. This rare physical meeting between the students and the lecturer has been a huge boost for my social well-being.
AccommodationWhile most of my classmates were asked to look for their places to stay in the private market, I am blessed to be provided a room at the student residence. The room is more affordable and it is close to Sciences Po and the city center. Even though the room is very tiny with only 9m², there is a shared kitchen where I can get to know my dormmates.
Leisures
Because of the current circumstances, student associations and the ESN are highly constrained for event organization. That being said, most of the gatherings are self-organized. We often meet by the river to drink and chill. Some students have also initiated home parties or short trips. Since Toulouse is famous for its airbus industry, I hope the ban on museum visiting would be lifted before I leave the city. I believe it would be a rewarding knowledge gain if I could go to the aeronautical museum with my new airbus engineers friends.
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