3rd Year Abroad: Maaz and Turkey, a Human Experience

All students in their third year of bachelor's degree (the “3A”) at Sciences Po's College must leave for a year abroad. They can choose to spend their entire year at one of our 478 partner universities or do a mixed year including an internship semester. This international openness is at the heart of Sciences Po's values and offers undergraduate students an unforgettable experience of discovery, sharing and learning.

This summer, we got in touch with several students on their return from 3A and ask them to tell us about this extraordinary year. Meet Maaz Mir-Butt who spent a year in Turkey, discovering the multicrisis the country is going through, the mesmerising city of Istanbul and his dream of pursuing an international legal career.

WHO ARE YOU AND WHY DID YOU CHOSE SCIENCES PO?

My name is Maaz. I started my bachelor's degree on the Paris campus, “Economics & Societies” Major. Although it may seem cliché, I chose Sciences Po for "its multidisciplinarity, its international openness and the quality of its teaching". In other words, I didn't yet know what I wanted to do in the future.

I have always always been interested in law, but it seemed wise to me to follow a fairly general course at first, and in particular in social sciences. In addition, the possibility of studying abroad at one of the many partner universities was a valuable argument.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION AND HOST UNIVERSITY?
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?

As unusual as it may seem, I made my choice of 3A after watching a movie: Delibal. It is a Turkish comedy-drama set in the city of Istanbul and within the prestigious Istanbul Bilgi Universitesi. Obviously, I also cared about the quality of the classes and especially about their diversity.

Regarding the difficult times I might have experienced, Turkey is facing an unprecedented political, economic and social crisis. I have witnessed the earthquakes, the Istiklal attack and the presidential elections. This crisis is generating a tension that is palpable and it is impossible not to be affected by the difficulties faced by the local population.

As for the best times? These few lines will never be enough to describe them. Between travels, cultural discoveries and encounters, it have to admit that 3A is above all a human experience.

WHAT DID THIS YEAR BRING TO YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY?

There are specific criteria to take into consideration when selecting courses. However, you will have the opportunity of choosing courses that are totally different from what you have been able to experience so far. I decided to focus this year on law: international law and business law. At the same time, I completed a university degree in criminal sciences remotely with the University of Angers.

The pleasure of discovering those courses confirmed my career choice. I will therefore join the Master in Economic Law at Sciences Po Law School at the start of the next academic year. Moreover, learning in English about the Turkish and American legal systems made me consider an international legal career.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE STUDENTS GETTING READY FOR THEIR THIRD YEAR ABROAD?

I want to tell you to listen only to your heart. However, I think you should also be strategic and consistent with your 3A wishes to increase your chances of getting your first wish. Either way, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Sciences Po is an institution that will support you whatever your final choice is.

CAN YOU SUM UP YOUR EXPERIENCE IN A WORD?

Surprising!