Banking:
There are several major banks in Le Havre that offer special offers to students. To open an account, you simply need to visit one of the banks with your ID card and a proof of residence (e.g. CROUS contract). Sciences Po students are highly encouraged to open a bank account with Societe Generale, one of the largest multinational banks. As a sponsor to BDE of Sciences Po, Societe Generale will hold individual meetings with you during the integration week, so that they can help you through the process of opening up a new account in France. Each year, the BDE receives special offers from Societe Generale, specially designed for Sciences Po students, so we will forward you the information as soon as we receive them this summer.
Insurance:
When you arrive in Le Havre, you will need to have at least two types of insurances:
1) Health Insurance
In your online registration to Sciences Po (via scolarite.sciences-po.fr), non-French students will need to make a selection between several health insurances. Generally speaking, you are safe to presume that the more you pay, the more you are covered. The actual differences between the various offers are quite minor, so choose one that suits you best during the online pre-inscription process (you will pay for it along with your first deposit at the end of the online procedure).
2) Housing Insurance
To have the right to a student residence, you will need an insurance. You can get them easily from most banks, and Societe Generale is offering one, for which you can obtain simultaneously while opening your bank account. The cost for this insurance is about 21 euros per year. If you are familiar with the French system, you might also want to check with your family to see if its insurance covers your stay in France. However, all supporting documents must be translated, and you will find that some agencies can be rather inflexible when it comes to this option.
Laptops:
Yes, you will have to work A LOT on a computer while a student at Sciences Po. There are about 10 PC’s available in the reading room of our school building, but in order to do your research at home (especially at night, when the building closes), you might want to have the convenience of owning a personal computer. Since you will also need to type down notes during lectures on a daily basis, a desktop will not be a viable option. If you are unable to bring your own laptop for some reason, the administration can give you one, but the number is extremely limited. For this option, you should contact M. Rondeau (olivier.rondeau@sciences-po.org) immediately.
Workload:
It will depend on how much effort you want to put into your studies. You will find – as it is the case at almost all leading institutions – people who work 24/7 and those who seem to allocate more time to an extensive party life. But, there is no need to say that a healthy balance of both would be ideal. Yet, Sciences Po is not a place where you can just casually come and go, so you will often find yourself studying until early hours in the morning, especially before presentations and exams.
Languages spoken on the Campus:
The main languages spoken on this campus is French and English. But, you will regularly hear people talking in other languages, so don’t worry about finding someone who can hold a conversation with you in your own native languages.
Internet:
There is a free Wi-Fi access in all school buildings, and the Internet connection is quite fast. During lunchtime, you may also walk across the street to McDonalds, which offers free, unlimited Wi-Fi access.
For your private Internet use at home, you will have two choices:
1) In all CROUS residences, there is an Internet provider, called Wifirst. For around 20 euros per month, you can get access to the Internet, but there is a limit on the volume that you can download per month (this can be changed to an unlimited amount by paying a few extra euros per month). However, if you just use it for your school work, chatting, and watching a few movies online, this is more than enough.
2) You can opt to buy a box. There are many Internet service providers all over France, and there deals are more or less the same. For around 30 euros per month, you can get an unlimited access to the Internet and a landline phone number with unlimited calls to many destinations around the world. However, obtaining and installing a box is much more difficult then paying for Wifirst at the comfort of your home. In order to get a box, you will have to go to the France Telecom shop on the opposite side of the City Hall. There, you will have to present your contract, ID card, and a RIB (a simple sheet of paper with all your bank account information; provided upon completion of bank registration). Sometimes, you may even need to provide them with the name of the person who lived in your apartment before your arrival. Since this option is obviously a bit more costly, some students make small groups among themselves within a student residence to share a box and divide up the monthly cost.
