Bienvenue à Paris! It has been two days since I moved from my sister’s tiny apartment in Le Marais into our enormous two-bedroom flat in the chic Tour Eiffel neighborhood of the seventh arrondissement. The city is green and alive - the flowers are in full bloom and there are no clouds in the sky. The streets are busy, the cafés are full, and I’m excited to join in on the hyper-metropolitan lifestyle. Since my three wonderful roommates have arrived, we have been desperately trying to settle in - unpacking, buying appliances, organizing program details - while also trying to enjoy french culture, food, and activities. I can’t deny that it has been a little overwhelming. Orientation highlighted just how much we really do have - our longest days ranging from ten in the morning to eight o’clock at night. I am so incredibly excited for all of the gallery visits and outings, but I’m also nervous about managing free time and homework. On our first night in Paris, we took a beautiful river cruise on the Seine, passing by major city attractions such as the Musée du Louvre, Tour Eiffel, and Cathédrale Notre-Dame. The rest of evening was spent dining and sipping rosé at Le Piquet, a restaurant down the street from our apartment complex. One thing in France that is starkly different from America is the customer service. A good waitress is one that never bothers you, so sometimes it can be difficult to get their attention to ask for the bill! I actually prefer it this way, the dining experience is slower and you get to enjoy conversations without being interrupted every few minutes as is typical in the United States. Another observation I’ve made over the years traveling to France is the custom of always addressing store managers, waiters, or even bus drivers. To say Bonjour or Bonsoir is imperative during your stay in the city! If you forget to address someone and immediately begin asking for something, you could be met by a salty Bonjour, which is really codeword for “You forgot to say Bonjour and you better say it now that I had to correct you!” I like this french trait because it’s a reminder that workers are people too and they deserve some nice human interaction while on the job!
Slightly disappointing can be the practicality of the French. I know some people who are not fluent in french and want to practice the language while out in the city. It seems as though workers would rather tourists speak in english quickly than try to speak in french slowly. The French stereotype of impatience is seen often in this aspect, but whenever I meet someone who is so generous to teach a bit of french to my friends or even correct my grammar, I am very grateful! Our orientation was full of tips and tricks to surviving in the city of light and love. It was a bit long-winded for all the international students (we have quite a few) but I think all of the people who had never traveled abroad before got a really good dose of common ~traveling~ sense. For example, our orientation leaders spoke a lot about pick-pocketing in the city. One thing that surprised me was that they told us not to put our purses on the bathroom hooks since people will reach over the stalls, grab your items, and run. It is apparently one of the most popular gimmicks in the city! They also told us about the cultural differences between Parisians and Americans. For example, the French dress more traditionally and smiling in public to a stranger is an extreme sign for flirting! While Americans are taught to be individualistic, the French are taught to fit into a crowd. We were advised to adopt the subtle differences in our cultures and try to fit into Parisian culture during our stay. I think sometimes we assume that culture is consistent in the Western World. However, in just a few days, I have already noticed so many differences between Parisians and Americans. I am excited to notice more, try to adapt, and take on a new individual role while in Paris. The French have a phrase that applies to all aspect of their life: Mes droits, mes devoirs. We have our rights for ourself and our duties to our country and fellow citizens. I’m looking forward to seeing if my rights and duties will change while I embark on this amazing adventure. Until Next Time // À Bientôt Marcella
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Over the past few years, I have realised that one of the most important parts of my identity is my passion for traveling. To study abroad has never wavered in my mind, the only question was how many times I would be able to do it during my time in college. Dialogues, unique experiences that allow students to study abroad during the summer, were a key component of why I chose to attend Northeastern, an unequivocally unrivaled program by other universities. So what made me decide to Explore Fashion in Paris? Fashion is something I have always admired since I was young, not only as an art form, but also as a means of creative expression in my own life. Currently on track for a journalism major and global fashion minor, the courses, assignments, and excursions being offered on this dialogue will help me gain skills necessary for a career in fashion journalism. Just like so many of the famous chefs around the world who develop their skills in French cuisine and techniques, the same goes for fashion designers. Studying in the epicenter of high fashion, where haute couture ateliers like Coco Chanel and Christian Dior have been based, is a great advantage of the program because we will have access to primary sources (paintings, textiles, garments) from the periods being studied in our classes. This summer, I am eager to learn about everything fashion related. 19th & 20th Century Fashion and Costume in Europe (THTR1233) is a class that I am very excited to take because we will be learning about the history of fashion influences, concepts, and designers. Our assignments include comparing fashion in different arrondissements and visiting the Yves Saint Laurent Offices, amazing opportunities to explore the city and see our in-class studies in-person.
Mass Media & the Fashion Industry in Europe (THTR2550) is another class that I am excited to take because we will be learning about online commercial business and fashion’s role in film, photography, and digital media. All students on the trip are writing their own fashion blogs, so I will also be uploading content that go into more depth about my classes. France is an amazing country that has never failed to show me beauty, sophistication, and fun. I love practicing my French with locals, tasting the buttery goodness of croissants, and even watching strangers fall in love. But this summer is going to be different - I am looking forward to seeing Paris in a different lights. I am not here just for vacation, but to delve deeper into a passion of mine and explore if it will take me down the right path. Au Revoir Boston et Bonjour Paris! Until Next Time // À Bientôt Marcella |
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