I’m back in Sweden after 5 months in Paris at L’Institut des études sciences politiques (aka science po). It’s been an intense semester with plenty of new experiences and off course, new friendships. Having just felt the slight chock in difference between Paris and the little village outside of Surahammar where I’m spending Christmas with my grand-parents, I started thinking back at the last couple of months. And I must say, I’m quite happy with what has been accomplished! I feel like I’ve managed to improve my french enough to be more or less happy with the level I have – which has also been tested through essay-writing, a political speech in french and some random situations where I’ve had to act interpreter. I also chose to study a semester of the master in international security which has been quite useful (although it’s also made me realize that you can be rather useless although you’ve been a french socialist foreign-minister). I’ve sung in an amazing accapella-group, taken an advanced salsa course with the most sexist salsa teacher ever (who by the way can’t tell the difference between sexIST and sexY). I’ve wandered the streets of Paris thinking “oh, I wish I got to live here” while realizing that I actually did (a highly recommended feeling). I never thought I’d be able to navigate around in Paris feeling like I sort of knew the city, but I did! I’ve had my share of french pastries and wine, and I’ve gotten used to the formalities and phrases that first terrified me. Besides exploring Paris and studying, I’ve also managed to keep some political activities working from afar by participating in 6 conferences (in Ghent, Görlitz, Berlin, Bordeaux and twice in Brussels).
In other words, I’m happy I took the chance to go for an exchange semester. Although, I must say I’m happy to return back home. There’s a few things I’ve really looked forward to coming back to. Such as my amazing friends in Sweden and Uppsala. The Paris night life was a bit of a disappointment, I’ve definitely gotten spoiled by Uppsala’s active student life (and although parisians are often gorgeous, they do not really dance…). I’m also looking forward to moving into my new flat with a CLEAN kitchen and my own furniture, with a rent much lower than the ones in Paris. I’ve also really missed my gym! Can’t believe it, but that’s one of the things I’m really looked forward to getting back to in Uppsala. Finally, I’m very much looking forward to throwing myself back into the political activities back home, both in the local politics of Uppsala and in S-studenter. The high speed of life in Sweden is after all gratifying…
There are a few people that I’m really glad that I’ve gotten to know and spend time with while in Paris, and who I also hope that I’ll stay in contact with for a long time to come. I’m particularly thinking about Julien, Laure, Ana, Cole, Giacomo, Stacey, Emma, Neil, Hilla, Georgia, Florian, Pierre, Theau, Paul and Quentin.
So I guess this is the short verbal description of this fall in Paris. The pictures can be found here. And finally, what would Paris have been without music to accompany the beauty of the city? This is an exclusive treat on some of the songs I’ve head-banged to in the metro:
Firefox AK- My syster and I
PJ Harvey – The words that maketh murder
Drake, Rihanna – Take care
David Guetta, Sia – Titanium
Rihanna – Man down
Florence + the machine – Only if for a night
Florence + the machine – Never let me go
Coldplay- Every teardrop is a waterfall
The Temper Tramp- Fader
Jennie Abrahamson- In this life to live
Diddy- Coming home
College, Electic youth- A real hero
Feist- Graveyard
The Verve – funny signs (seriously, don’t know what it’s called)
Death cab for cutie- You are a tourist
Lana del Rey- Video games
Birdy- Skinny love
Birdy- Shelter
Black Face- African queen
Kavinsky – Nightcall
Mattafix – Living Darfur
Coldplay- Glass of water
Desire- Under your spell
