Charpak Full Masters Scholarship Scholar Snehadeep Kayet from India Shares His Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at Sciences Po Paris, France

Hi! My name is Snehadeep Kayet, and I am a higher education professional in India developing the growth framework for new-age Indian universities. My father served the Indian armed forces for over 3 decades, and I think I have been a nomad all my life.

I studied international affairs at SciencesPo Paris (cohort of 2016-18) and received the Charpak Full Master's Scholarship (amounting to over 45000 euros) to complete my two-year degree program. My interest in international affairs had come in during my undergrad years as I had participated extensively in Model UNs and chaired in London, Kazakhstan, and South Korea. One thing led to the other, and I got to intern at the UN Office in India, followed by a model UN teaching fellowship at the World Federation of UN Associations, South Korea. By the end of my gap year post-graduation, I was quite firm to transition from tech to international affairs, and apply to universities offering this discipline from a rather practical perspective. SciencesPo was my top choice as most of the professors were ministers, practitioners who brought in their rich experience in every class. Two years flew by like a gasp!

Charpak Full Master's Scholarship Details

Prior to Charpak, I had applied to 16 scholarship applications and agencies that had all refused me. Seems funny to recall, but I had also gotten a rejection from interest-free loan scholarships. Charpak was my 17th application, and even though by the end of my 16th rejection, I had given up, as they say, ‘destiny had other plans’.

Charpak covered my entire tuition fee for both years (around 25000 euros), gave a monthly stipend (around 750 euros), provided subsidised accommodation upon arrival in Paris, a full visa waiver, and access to Campus France scholarship benefits, which included curated experiences and vacations at subsidised rates. I remember going to Prague for Christmas with Campus France, and that was one of the best experiences in my first year.

Housing is often a big worry point for international students, and I did not have to worry about it during either of my years.

Educational Background

I did my undergrad in civil engineering, and unfortunately, it had little to do with international affairs. Though I now see the amalgamation of tech and policy with a much stronger lens, back then, I had little clue. The closest possible thing between civil engineering and international affairs that I had done was submitting a thesis for my final year, which highlighted Indo-Australian co-operation on green buildings.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to SciencesPo Paris?

Transition from civil engineering to international affairs wasn’t the easiest for sure. Apart from clearing IELTS (for which I had a perfect score of 8.5), I focused a lot on my statement of purpose. I worked on a perfect SoP for months, with multiple friends and colleagues proofreading the same. Fortunately, one of my ex-colleagues had gone to SciencesPo just a year earlier, and she was kind enough to share a lot of academic insights that I further talked about in my SoP.

I wanted to not only tell the Admissions Committee at SciencesPo my story, but also show them how an engineering undergrad would be a valuable addition in their classroom cohorts. When all the philosophers would talk about the academic right, how the data person would highlight a policy’s implementation feasibility.

How is Your Experience at SciencesPo Paris?

SciencesPo was a brilliant experience, and I will always hold it very important to both my professional and personal life.

My favourite subject was climate geopolitics - taught by Monsieur François Gemenne, who had also been a part of the delegation formulating the French commitment to UNCOP 24. His class enabled me to look at political warfare from a climate lens. Sciences Po also enabled to land my first two internships in Paris and my first full-time job (CDD).

How Does SciencesPo Paris Support International Students?

SciencesPo is not only ranked in the top 5 QS, but is a heaven for international students. I think the diversity is crazy. Never in my life had I met anyone from Cape Verde - but in SciencesPo.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or French?

English

What Did You Pursue After the Charpak Full Master's Scholarship?

I worked in France for a few years in corporate communications, then eventually moved back to India. India today has entered a very interesting phase where, post the 2020 revamp of the National Educational Policy, multiple new-age higher education institutes have scaled. Today, I help them with implementing and designing their growth framework. Right from designing the Outreach strategy to admissions and financial aid process, and even designing global exchange programs - I have been doing a lot in the Indian Higher Education space.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing French?

Knowing French is a huge factor for someone to find their footing in a French setup.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think perseverance stood out the most in my application now that I think of it. My narrative was clear - I was a civil engineering undergrad with some real-time policy-making experiences, wanting to study it formally. At some point, my institutional clarity and thought process of what I want to do with the degree would have been my standalone points.