Infanta Sofía will finish her freshman classes in Political Science and International Relations on June 5 at the Lisbon campus of Forward College, a private higher education institution affiliated with the University of London.
As she heads into the home stretch of the semester, Princess Leonor’s sister is already gearing up for another move. After summer vacation, she will pack her bags once again and move to Paris to begin her sophomore year of college.
One Degree, Three Campuses
The Forward College curriculum is designed so that students spend each academic year in a different European city. Following her time in Lisbon, the City of Light awaits the Infanta, while Berlin will be her destination for her junior year. Despite changing countries, her classes will continue to be taught in English, a language she has mastered since childhood and perfected during her time at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, the boarding school where she earned her International Baccalaureate.
© Carlos AlvarezAdvice From Fellow Students
Forward College students who have already spent time at the Paris campus have shared several tips to help her year in the capital along the Seine go as smoothly as possible. Infanta Sofía is already well-traversed when it comes to living away from home and in foreign countries, but she has never lived in the French capital before.
© Casa de S. M. el ReyHere is their advice to the young royal:
“At the Cité Universitaire cafeteria, you can have lunch and dinner every day of the week. You will enjoy a three-course menu of your choice for 3.30 euros. But if you apply for financial aid at the beginning of the year, you can always eat there for just 1 euro!”
“Bring or buy blankets and comfortable clothes for lounging at home because, just like Lisbon, Paris can be surprisingly cold in the winter. Blankets will be your best allies, and a good pair of slippers is a must.”
“Once a month, the Opéra Garnier offers an exclusive performance for students. Tickets cost just 10 euros, when they normally exceed 200 euros, so it is an opportunity you cannot miss.”
“Montmartre can be very touristy, but its popularity is well-deserved. It offers essential views and is perfect for watching the sunset.”
“A bar with a secret dungeon where you can safely practice sumo wrestling (with protective gear) with your friends for only 3 euros.”
© Casa Real“A coworking space in Paris where you pay for the time you spend there, rather than for what you consume. For example, you pay 6 euros for an hour and you get unlimited coffee and snacks.”
“If you stay at Honnorat, investing in a pair of flip-flops will make the trek to the shared showers a much more elegant experience.”
“Cité is a massive campus with various sports facilities. The sports membership costs 150 euros per year and includes access to the pool, the gym, tennis courts, soccer fields, a wide variety of yoga, pilates, and krav-maga classes, and much more.”
“It is important to know that almost all museums in Paris are free for European students or visa holders under the age of 25.”
“The restaurant Mangez et Cassez Vous is very budget-friendly and offers five types of burgers and several varieties of fries. A burger costs 3.20 euros and the fries are around 2 euros. Cheaper than McDonald’s or Burger King, and a truly cozy restaurant!”
Where the Infanta Sofía Will Live
For her sophomore year of college, Sofía de Borbón will study and live at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (CIUP). This is the largest residence hall for French and international university students and researchers in the Île-de-France region, housing more than 12,000 students and researchers representing 150 different nationalities. At the International House of the Cité Internationale, Sofía and her classmates will have everything they need for student life, including study rooms, a theater, a swimming pool, a gym, affordably priced restaurants, a library, a language lab, and plenty of green spaces.
The Cost of Living in Paris
Forward College has outlined some of the expenses that the Infanta and the rest of the students will face while living in Paris. The student residence costs between 820 and 1,200 euros per month. Private health insurance runs between 10 and 20 euros per month, while a public transportation pass is 40 euros per month. Food costs around 300 euros, phone service is 15 euros, and leisure activities and daily expenses total about 200 euros per month.
© Casa de S. M. el ReyIn the area of Paris where she will be living, the price of a coffee ranges between 1.50 and 3 euros, a movie ticket is 15 euros, a nightclub entry fee is between 15 and 25 euros, and a single subway ticket is 2 euros. A meal at an average restaurant costs 22 euros, though that drops to 14 euros if she chooses to eat at the CIUP.
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