| by Sierra Abukins

News Stories

Po Bordeaux
Sciences Po Bordeaux students studying at the Institute in Monterey: Julie Auffret-Cariou, Donatella Metro, Liam Hutton, Adèle Demons, Anaïs Delaunay, Emmy Darrau, Julia Salabert, Leïla Bouabdallah, Léonard De Carlo, Tom Jobert, Aurore Mermet.
 

A partnership with Sciences Po Bordeaux brings a cohort of French students to Monterey each fall, many drawn by our distinguished Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies (NPTS) program.

The exchange fosters intercultural dialogue in and out of the classroom.

“This is my first time in the U.S. and I am loving my time in Monterey,” said Aurore Mermet. “In France, we are exposed to many American movies and American culture, but it is so interesting to finally come here and discover it with our own eyes. Of course, many things are different from the movies or what we see online, so it is a nice experience.”

This fall, there are eleven students on exchange from France, all in the third semester of their program. In their final semester, they’ll do a six-month internship and write a thesis. 

Sciences Po Bordeaux students have a choice of going to Israel, Singapore, or the Institute, with our Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program being a particular draw.

Having fellow students bring in experiences from many different countries and contexts has been a highlight for Liam Hutton, a dual French-British citizen who is here for a year through a standing exchange program with Sciences Po Bordeaux in France where he’s completing his master’s degree in international relations. 

“Having such huge diversity on such a small campus is impressive,” said Hutton. “When you look at case studies, you always have someone who has spent time in that part of the world.”

Liam

Sciences Po Bordeaux student Liam Hutton shares his impressions of the Middlebury Institute, where he’s studying on exchange for fall 2022. 
 

Hutton has been impressed with the accessibility of NPTS faculty, and how they bridge theory and practice.

“The academic culture in France can be more top-down. Here there is a proper debate,” he said. “There’s a real engagement and a high level of respect for faculty because we know how much we have to learn from them, but also they allow us to voice our comments and our own experiences. It’s a breath of fresh air.”