Studying in Menton: A Dream or a Curse?

With a population of 30,679 and a size of 14,05 km2, Menton is one of the smallest cities in France. In the heart of Cote D’Azur, Menton is often filled with tourists and, of course, Sciences Po students. Yet, this colorful town stands as a unique case to host one of the most prestigious universities in the country. For most students, the first few months are very fun and exciting, filled with opportunities to meet new people, by attending tons of parties, going to the beach after classes, and taking a train to Monaco or Nice on the weekends. But around November, as the sun starts to fade away, the initial joy of the people is nowhere to be found. This makes me wonder, is this a universal college experience or distinct to Sciences Po Menton? If so, why are students in Menton not happy? 

The Social Bubble

“Being in Menton, by nature of it, is isolating,” a first-year student describes.

Here, students do not have a usual university life experience, as the Menton campus is not actually a campus. Unlike other universities where most students live in dorms or “Crous logement,” in Menton the majority live in apartments which puts invisible barriers and increases the distance between them. Additionally, there is a severe lack of coffee shops, pubs, bars and restaurants apart from the tourist traps and Le Retro, which restricts socialization, especially for people who don’t like going to parties at Soundproof. Here, another problem arises: who do you socialize with? At a campus with a student body of approximately 400 people, most people know each other at least by name, and friend groups are relatively strict, so even when you are socializing, it is quite rare to meet someone new. The division between French and English tracks is also worth mentioning since the two groups rarely see each other, limiting the interactions and the possibilities of forming new friendships. Everyone majoring in social sciences also decreases the range of perspectives on campus. These perspectives are often similar to each other given that most students' socio-economic background is frequently middle class or upper middle class. 

An Education Like No Other

“My motivation is disappearing day by day, hard-work is almost never enough here,” a French-track student answered when asked about their opinion on the education system. 

In a November CVC meeting with 1A student representatives, campus director Youssef Halaoua said, “Most of the time teachers are new, i.e. they have not taught before–and some of their first teaching experiments are at Sciences Po.”  In such a prestigious university like Sciences Po, the quality of teaching can be questionable from time to time. This particularly becomes problematic when considering the school tuition (relatively high by French standards), which is also subject to a five percent increase next year. Additionally, the work load can often be more than challenging because students have to deal with essays, presentations, and exams without catching a break. This is completely understandable for a competitive university, but particularly for French track, which is often regarded as more difficult than English track. Many students experience stress and frustration due to the harsh grading system that fails to recognize the effort students put in. Considering that third-year placements are based on grades, this perceived gap between French and English track students creates an unfair competition. Furthermore, the education system is mostly based on memorization — another point that frustrates students who wish to engage more critically with course content.

Administrative Policies

“I feel like the administration is not helping us when we need it but rather making our life even harder,” a 2A said. 

There has long been tension between students and administration on the Menton campus, but these issues arose with the Israel-Palestine conflict this year. The violation of freedom of expression and the calling of police on the students blockade were just some examples of the lack of cooperation with students. Students have felt disconnected from the administration as a result. There is also a stringent two-absence policy where students can only miss two classes per course, including excused absences such as medical issues. However, the campus doctor cannot issue medical notes, which compounds this problem. Even if they are not feeling well, students feel obligated to go to class, adding to the pressure on their shoulders.

Furthermore, many students complain of lack of access to mental health services. An English-speaking therapist should be present and available to students not just once a week, but more, since the majority of the campus are international students. 

What Should Change

Overall, it is clear that change must occur within the administration’s stance. The common feeling shared between students is that the administration is making decisions against students’ interests. In a campus like Sciences Po Menton, a need for a more considerate and collaborative administration is apparent. In addition, the mental support system should be improved. Recognizing these problems and voicing them are crucial – how long can Sciences Po keep looking the other way?