During my final days in Paris, I find myself asking: was studying at Sciences Po worth it?

Few days ago, I walked through the gates of Sciences Po for the very last time. It feels strange, but I don’t feel sad—rather, an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m leaving

physically drained, mentally exhausted, and deeply disappointed on a human level. It wasn’t exactly the happiest period of my life. Prestige comes at a price, and sometimes it’s far too high.

Throughout my time here, I kept hearing the same well-meant phrases: "You can do this—you’re more than capable." "It’s just two more semesters, just a few more weeks." "This will open doors to amazing opportunities." "If not you, then who will step up to make a difference in Slovakia?" "We’re counting on you—it would be a shame to waste your potential."

The pressure was immense, at times unbearable. It took years for people to start believing in me and my seemingly unrealistic, idealistic visions. I didn’t want to let anyone down. For years, I’ve told people to fight for their dreams—how could I just pack up and quit? That wasn’t an option.

However, it was a battle filled with losses. I went from being a top student to falling below average almost overnight. Coming from the place of one success after another, I suddenly faced failure after failure. Everything I touched seemed to go wrong. My basic certainties crumbled to dust. I learned the hard way that even in the “civilized West,” things like hot water, internet connectivity, or reliable public transport are not guaranteed. Living in the Paris suburbs was a real challenge—trains were frequently delayed, mail often lost, and nothing seemed to work as it should.

Over those 18 months, my rights were violated like never before, and the indifference from government institutions and the university was staggering. You are fully on your own. I now understand the weight of that phrase. It took a long time, and it was deeply frustrating, but ironically, it taught me to believe in myself. Failures teach us more than the victories that earn applause. You just have to learn to pat yourself on the back and say, “Good job.”

Of course, life is not black and white. I met many amazing, inspiring people. I’m leaving with invaluable friendships and promising professional connections. I found my passion in responsible tech and landed my dream job. There were beautiful moments too—just far fewer than the challenging ones. What matters most to me is that I’ve become even more committed to fighting for the rights of others. Despite the hardships, I stayed true to myself. Life here didn’t break me, but it did shape me, smooth out my edges, and strengthened my resolve to work toward a fairer world. Only now am I beginning to see things more clearly.

You might wonder why I’m sharing this. This isn’t the polished optimism we often see on social media. I don’t want to pretend or act like I have it all figured out. I dislike the picture-perfect image many people have of Sciences Po or others’ life achievements. People applaud your successes, but they don’t see the tears behind them. Everything has a cost, and it’s up to each of us to decide if we’re willing to pay it. It’s okay to struggle under the pressure. It’s okay to fail. It’s okay not to be okay.

This is my story, my personal experience. Not everyone faces the same battles. For some, life in Paris and studying at Sciences Po is a dream come true. But there are also those, like me, for whom it was deeply challenging. I made it through thanks to the incredible support of the people in my life. I’ve tasted prestige, and frankly, it doesn’t suit me. Its allure is intoxicating, but its aftertaste is bitter. I’ve paid my price, and it will take me some time to recover fully.

I want to stay honest with myself and share my story because it might help someone else. If you’re going through a tough time, feeling lost in life, know that you’re not alone. I truly wish we could talk more openly about these hard things. Life can be heavy, but it’s a bit more bearable when we face it together.