Bilkiss Haman
CAS ’26
Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Environmental Science
SA: Institute of Political Studies in Paris (Sciences Po)
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Ask Me About…
Growing up in Côte d’Ivoire, studying in the U.S., and now living in Paris, I’ve experienced education systems in French and English. Therefore, I am constantly code-switching, not just between languages, but between worldviews. I’ve had to adapt to new cultural norms, but I’ve also held onto the values that shape how I see community, justice, and development. At Sciences Po, I’ve been taking political science classes in French and having to rethink familiar topics such as globalization or migration through a European lens. Simultaneously, I’ve also been recruiting for internships and working long-distance in the U.S., which means switching between professional expectations, time zones, and mindsets. It’s been disorienting at times, but also incredibly grounding. Being abroad has made me even more reflective about where I come from and where I’m going. It was not just a “study abroad” but a way for me to build connections between continents, to challenge the Western narratives that dominate development discourse, and to be a bridge between worlds I’ve lived in. So if you’re wondering what it’s like to bring your own perspectives into global conversations, or how to stay grounded in your identity while moving across borders, I would be happy to talk!
My Experience Abroad
My time abroad in Paris expanded my academic and professional goals. As a junior studying Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Environmental Studies, I came to Paris hoping to deepen my understanding of inequality and power from a different perspective. What I found was an intellectual and political environment that felt alive both inside and far beyond the classroom. At Sciences Po, I explored topics like migration, state violence, and political resistance through a European and postcolonial lens. But it was the city itself that became my most unexpected teacher: I attended so many public lectures on Black feminism, anti-racist organizing, and neocolonialism, often led by activists and scholars whose work directly spoke to my own interests in the Global South. These conversations challenged me to think more critically about how systems of oppression operate across borders and histories. Walking through Paris, you feel that the city is bubbling with the energy of political resilience and possibility! From the student protests to the radical bookstores tucked in the 15th arrondissement, that energy sharpened my sense of purpose. What also stood out to me was how global the city felt. Paris is a crossroads, where you’re bound to meet people from every corner of the world. I found myself in conversations with students from Brazil, activists from Afghanistan, and artists from the Caribbean and North African diasporas. Being surrounded by that kind of diversity truly made my semester abroad the most incredible and unforgettable experience of my life.
Other Highlights
- The chance to travel and experience life beyond the classroom: Morocco, Amsterdam, Portugal, Turkey, Italy, and more I was able to explore new cultures, histories, and ways of living. I’ve always admired Anthony Bourdain’s belief that travel is one of the most honest ways to understand the world, and this experience made that belief feel so tangible and transformative.
- The conversations I had with professors at Sciences Po. Many of them aren’t professors by profession but diplomats, economists, or policy experts, people who are deeply grounded in their real-world work. Talking with them brought the material to life in a way that was immediate and personal.
- Simply experiencing the beauty of Paris. From jazz bars to late-night cinemas, museum expositions to the everyday magic of the metro, I genuinely fell in love with the rhythm of the city. The streets themselves feel like art. Paris is beautiful in so many different ways, and being immersed in that beauty is a life-changing experience.
