Students from around the world who have chosen to settle in the French capital share the reasons behind their decision. Our reporter Emma Barets went to meet some of them.
(VO1) : Located in the southwest of Paris, the Cité Internationale is a hub for students from abroad. The university campus welcomes over 12,000 students from 100 different countries. For its residents, the top reason they choose to study in Paris is the quality of the education. Andrei is from Saint-Petersburg in Russia. He has been learning french since primary school and is enrolled at the Polytechnique Institute.
Andrei : « After looking for different cities and master programs, I picked this one. Mostly because of the program itself. Because interaction graphics and design, it’s more computer science program. It’s quite rare »
Aneesha, a 22 years old Indian from Kerala, is soon to graduate with a master’s in plasma physics and fusion from the same school. She arrived last year.
Aneesha : « I was studying bachelor in general physics in India and I apply for many programs across Europe. I tried Erasmus program. And I found one of the course here. Apart from the academics, I really love here, it’s really pretty, beautiful, chic. »
(VO2): While Paris is recognized as having some of the best higher education programs in the world, for Emilio, studying computer science, it’s also about the vibe of a major city.
Emilio : « I come from Mexico, the special part about Paris was also coming to Europe. And having the opportunity to practice my french and my english. At the end of the day, it’s also Paris that is a cosmopolitan city. There are people from India, Kyrgyzstan, from everywhere.»
(VO3) : The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Pantheon… there is always something to do. Ester is from a small village in Hungary. She is studying international relations at la Sorbonne.
Ester : « I chose Paris because it’s a beautiful city. When I have a spare time, I visit museums or I go on a walk to discover news places »
After a long day of final exams, she took me to her favorite spot, right in the heart of the city, rue Crémieux.
Ester : « It is calm and relaxing. It’s different from other Haussmannian buildings in Paris. The houses are nicer, smaller and more colorful. »
« And what I found impressive in Paris ? It’s so crowded. When you see a café for example, they have the tables just next to the others. Literally you are in the area of the others. »
(VO4) : And Paris just keeps attracting more. Over 100,000 international students are enrolled in higher education in the Paris region, a 10 per cent increase over the past decade.
Emma BARETS