PSL voices | 24h with Huseyn en Master Sciences et Génie des matériaux

Published May 15, 2024

Have you always dreamed about doing your Master in Paris, but you don’t know what a typical day in the life of a student looks like? You are in the right place as I will walk you through my day as an M1 student at Chimie Paris - PSL (master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering).

7.00 am 🌅

After waking up and doing my morning routine, I leave my lovely residence (Maison des étudiants de l'Asie du Sud Est) at in the 14th arrondissement in Paris and head to Chimie Paris - PSL. I take the RER B and after just 15 minutes, I am already at the Luxembourg station, in the heart of the 5th arrondissement.

Then, I stroll through the Latin Quarter and enjoy the local architecture. I especially like the view of the Panthéon, which is just nearby my university. After a few minutes of walking, I arrive at , where I am having my first class at 8.30 am.

Chimie Paris - PSL is a renowned French engineering school that specializes in chemistry. In fact, chemistry is even embedded in its name as “Chimie” is a French word for chemistry. Chimie Paris- PSL is a is all about science, interdisciplinary research, and innovation. It is highly regarded for its rigorous academic programs that combine in-depth theoretical knowledge with practical application. The school offers a variety of programs, mainly at the Master’s level, focusing on chemistry and chemical sciences such as chemical engineering, materials science, and molecular chemistry.

Research is a core component of the educational experience here, with students often participating in cutting-edge projects in collaboration with industry leaders and international partners. Myself, I had an innovative group project in the first semester with a professor from the Decorative Arts Institute of Paris that aimed for the development of a new ink-printing technique. My master is governed by three engineering schools: , , and , all three are part of PSL and are located in a proximity of 5-10 minutes walk from each other. I am having my classes in all three of these schools and I really like this multiinstitutional nature of my master.

8.30 am 🖊️

My first lecture of the day usually takes place in one of the large auditoriums that we call amphitheaters. Here, at Chimie Paris - PSL we have three of them: Chaudron, Moissan, and Friedel, which are named after influential French scientists. The classes normally take place in two 1.5h sessions with a 15 minutes break in between. The variety of classes is truly astonishing. Personally, as a materials science student, I have all sorts classes such as metallic materials, inorganic materials elaboration, mechanics, programming languages, analytical techniques, etc. The teaching here is nothing short of amazing. The staff typically consists of engineers, researchers, and other professionals that are at the top of their respective fields. It is indeed a privilege to be able to learn from them. Although they are usually busy with their research, they find time to teach us as well.

11.45 am 🍽️

After 3 hours of classes, it is time for lunch! I usually cook for myself and bring a lunchbox, but I am always eager to try something new. There is no better place in Paris to immerse yourself in the street food experience than Latin Quarter. Here you can find all sorts of food from all sorts of cultures: French, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and many more. Latin Quarter is well known as the “student district” of Paris thanks to the famous universities located here, including Sorbonne University, Collège de France, Chimie Paris - PSL, and many more.

A popular and affordable choice for lunch would be CROUS, the student cafeteria, where you can get a complete meal for only 3.30€ (1€ for the CROUS scholarship recepients). There is one located next to ESPCI Paris - PSL, so affordable and convenient!

After grabbing my lunch, if the weather is good, I would normally go Luxembourg park, right next to Mines Paris - PSL or on the stone benches in front of Panthéon.

1.30 pm 📒

After the lunch, I have the afternoon class until 4.45 pm. Similarly to the morning one, it consists of two 1.5h session with a 15 minutes break in between. Often I have it at Mines Paris - PSL or ESPCI Paris - PSL.

Mines Paris - PSL

5.00 pm&�Բ��;📖

After the end of my afternoon class, I am totally free for the rest of the day. Sometimes, when I feel productive, I go to a library, either at Chimie Paris - PSL or at Mines Paris - PSL, where I work for an hour or two before going back home.

7.00 pm&�Բ��;⭐

On special ocasions, I go to a “special place” with friends of mine. As an international student, I am always looking forward to discover French cuisine and try something exquisite. And where to do it better than in a Parisian restaurant or a little café we call “Bistro”? There is a plethora of iconic places, but my all time favorite is Café du Trocadero in the 16th arrondissement. If you sit outdoors, your diner will be accompanied with a stunning view of the Eiffel tower. Now, this is next level dining experience!

As a conclusion, every day of a Master’s student is an adventure full of learning and unforgettable experience. It is up to you how to spend it. Thank you for reading this post!