October 5

I felt so sleepy in my European social policy class. The teacher has a strong French English accent, and I lost his points. So I just jutted down some observations I have in mind.

In France, even though the semester looks shorter, only 12 lectures, it is two hours without break in between. Also their exam dates are separated so after calculated, the total teaching hour in France is the same as Taiwan. Exchange students can be regarded as the most carefree ones, having credits doubled and only have to take 30 credits. French students, on the other hand are taking much more workload than I imagine. Many of them take classes in other universities, which seems to be the minor or double major system in Taiwan.

Stepping out of the gate of Science Po, one would be surprised that the gate is occupied with heavy cigarette smoke. In France, it is quite normal to smoke. Every one smokes, young or old; man or woman. Someone tells me that people will tend to smoke when they are waiting for someone, to have their hand occupied and look not so awkward. I was asked several times "Tu as le feu?" the fire for cigarette.

The new library of science po was opened last Wednesday. It is equipped with 200 20-inch iMacs. Also the interior looks very futuristic and clean, the wall, the desks are all white, which makes me think I am in an Apple shop. But yesterday when I was there, there were no seats. Many of them were even occupied by people. Also people talked in the library, shutting the door loudly, which all annoyed me.