Postcards from Paris: No. 1

Bonjour de Paris! Welcome to the first installment of Postcards from Paris! This blog series will feature a weekly collection of photos and thoughts relating to my travels and study abroad experience.

I don’t know where to start. This week has been a whirlwind of adjusting to a new environment, attempting to speak French, program orientation, and exploring my surroundings. At the moment, everything feels surreal. It has been a year-long process to study abroad, and I've encountered issues almost every step of the way. Even while sitting at JFK, I refused to feel assured that I had conquered all hurtles and would make it to Paris — rightly so, as it turned out, the airline’s computer system accidentally kicked me off the flight. However, regardless of that stressful mishap, I made it and could not be more grateful for that fact.

Moulin Rouge

Views from the Car Ride to the Apartment

Life in the Second Arrondissement: Cafes, Covered Passages, and the Galeries Lafayette

Paris is divided into several arrondissements (neighborhoods), numbered in a snail shell-like pattern. I'm staying in the 2nd arrondissement, close to the center of Paris, and home to numerous cafes, restaurants, covered passages, and local and commercial stores. Save for the Haussmann architecture, my first impression of the 2nd arrondissement is that it is not that dissimilar from certain parts of New York, Boston, or London. However, the lack of English, local culture, and confusing dance of Parisian drivers make it intrinsically more interesting than any city I've been to before.

Overall I'm in awe of the beauty of Paris. While there are a few modern buildings scattered about the 2nd arrondissement, for the most part, all of the buildings have architectural details that make the city feel romantic and elegant. As I said to one of my roommates: Paris has some of the prettiest barred windows I have ever seen.

Aside from wandering around the neighborhood, one of my favorite things to do is to observe the fashion and mannerisms of the locals. As expected, most Parisians are very chic and exude a certain confidence that can be intimidating to someone used to suburban life. Before coming on the trip, I was warned that Parisians live up to the stereotype of being rude, especially to Americans. Although I haven’t been here long and certainly cannot speak for the entire French population, I've had only pleasant interactions with the locals. Actually, I perceive them as being very polite. I think the coldness some foreigners receive comes from cultural misunderstandings. As advised during orientation, saying bonjour can open doors. Being polite to workers and locals in their native language allows for more free-flowing, genial conversation — even if that conversation consists of terrible French and lots of hand gestures.

Happenings in the Third Arrondissement: Old Building, Classes, and Street Art

My classes are located in the 3rd arrondissement, which includes half of Le Marais, a historical area in Paris. The streets are narrow, buildings are old, and the neighborhood itself is very quaint. Although I love living in the 2nd arrondissement, the 3rd is my favorite area of Paris so far. I appreciate the neighborhood’s old-world charm, and there are so many cafes, markets, bakeries, and vintage shops to explore.

Place de la République

Views From the Seine: River Boats, Museums, and Famous Landmarks

Before this week, I've only experienced Paris second-hand. From scrolling through countless pictures of Paris, I'm familiar with the 1st arrondissement and famous landmarks. Therefore, the day we ventured to this part of the city was the first time it hit me that I was actually in Paris. As part of our orientation, everyone taking part in the study abroad program took a one-hour cruise on the Seine. Although it was cold and a bit gloomy, I spent the entire cruise captivated by the sight of the beautiful architecture and iconic landmarks. It's hard to believe that people live here and can see the Pont Alexandre III or the Eiffel Tower as part of their commute to work.

From the Louvre: Glass Pyramids, Rare Sunshine, and Art

I'm usually not a museum person, but I could have spent the entire day wandering around the Louvre. After nearly a week of gloomy weather, we finally saw Paris in the sunshine, and it made the experience all the more impressive. The building itself is a work of art, and I was astounded by the sheer size. From the pyramids of the Louvre, you are surrounded by the entire museum, have views of the Seine, and see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Although we didn’t spend too much time inside the museum, we did make our way through the sculpture courtyard, the Grande Galerie, Galerie d’Apollon, and of course, visited the Mona Lisa. My words will never be able to do the Louvre justice. It was overwhelming but also peaceful, beautiful, and emotional. The Louvre is the perfect place to be inspired and get lost in thought. Fortunately, the Louvre offers free admission to European students (which I currently qualify for), so I'm planning on making several visits during my time here.

The Eiffel Tower at Night:

You can't be in Paris for too long without going to see the Eiffel Tower or better known in my family as the "rusty old hunk of metal."

Sunday Stroll: Recharging, the Notre Dame, and the Seine

After a week of meeting new people and days spent with friends and roommates, my introverted self was craving time alone. To recharge, I ventured on a two-hour stroll that took me from the 2nd arrondissement to the 3rd, and then through the 4th, 5th, and 1st, where I stumbled upon the Notre Dame Cathedral, visited the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and walked along the Seine.

Overall, my first week abroad has been surreal. The city is as beautiful and romantic as I expected it to be while still being youthful.

Regarding my thoughts on studying abroad, so far it's been a little stressful but also incredibly rewarding. I'm still adjusting to life in a small apartment with seven other people and no washing machine. However, it's been nice to be able to struggle as a group. Although I'm used to being away from home, I feel like I have unlocked a new level of independence. From figuring out how to get a sim card to learning the metro system, living in a foreign country is empowering. I hope the allure of Paris never gets old, and I continue to wake up each day excited to explore and immerse myself in the Parisian experience!