Hey USWIB! I’m Sophie, a sophomore studying Public Policy, Computer Science, and Business. I get to call Paris home this semester, and I’m so excited to share my experience with y’all!
I got here about a month ago, but it feels like it’s gone by so fast! Here’s a little bit about my adventures so far:
School: Because Paris is a campus more geared towards MCC and music majors, there aren’t many courses aside from foreign language and Expressive Cultures that count for any of my requirements. It gives me an excuse to take really cool classes like Art History and Film! We take cool class trips, too – I’ve already been to the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay with my art history class, and I got to walk around the Marais with my history class. NYU Paris is in the heart of the city, steps away from Notre Dame and Hotel de Ville and in walking distance to the Louvre and the Luxembourg Gardens. Also, the view from the top floor of the NYU building is unreal – you can see out over all of Paris!
Daily life: I live in an “arrondisement” about a half hour from school that’s full of students and locals. My street gets busy at night, and it’s really nice that I can go hang out with friends without going too far if I don’t want to. I like that I don’t live next to school because it gives me a chance to get out of my bubble and explore new areas of Paris! I love hanging out in cafés, finding cute new concept stores, and just taking walks so I can see as much as possible while I’m here. I’m also working on living more like the Parisians (when in Paris, you know?) which basically means that I’m trying not to always be in a rush like I am in NYC! Locals like to take their time here and my friends and I walk notably faster than everyone else. People watching at cafes has become a favorite, and now that the weather is getting nicer, I love grabbing a cup of coffee and just hanging out outside.
Travel: I went to Versailles for a day a few weekends ago! The castle is beautiful and it’s really interesting to experience some of France’s history. The gardens weren’t blooming, but it ended up being a nice day so my friends and I just walked around for a little bit! I also just went to London for a weekend to see some friends who are studying abroad there. It was a whirlwind trip, but I managed to get to Camden Market, Oxford Circus, Covent Garden, Chinatown and the Tate Museum. I drank a lot of tea, so I’d consider it a success.
Looking forward: I’m currently trying to plan a couple more trips! I have a whole list of places I want to go, so I’m trying to figure out how to do as much as I can. Also, Paris Fashion Week is coming up, so a couple of friends and I are trying to figure out how to sneak into a show or two. I’m also really excited for the weather to get a little warmer so I can start picnic-ing! There’s a really cute canal down my street that a lot of locals hang out along when it’s warm, and school is walking distance from the Seine, so I’m excited to grab lunch and hang out on the water. Living here is a dream, and I keep those “pinch yourself” moments all the time! I can’t wait for the rest of the semester, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about living in Paris!