Hey everyone,

This is going to be my last blog post in Paris. As I write this, I definitely have mixed emotions and overall, I am just so glad I did this. Ever since I was in elementary school, I have thought that I should study abroad in Paris and it was a huge dream of mine. It was definitely all I expected and more. I learned so much about French language, culture, and history that I will take back with me to New York and carry with me.

My family was part of what made this so wonderful. I stayed with this older couple who are absolutely some of the best people (definitely in France at least). They open their doors to American students each semester, not for money, but to share in a cultural exchange that they relish. We had so many wonderful discussions about America, Europe, politics, religion, food, and everything in between. I also really bonded with their grandchildren which was such a treat. It probably helps that I gave them toys and played with them, but I am not above buying a child's love with toys. It was so fun to play with such happy, funny children every week when they came to visit their grandparents and it helped me to see how French children live.

French people....what can I even say about them? At their best, I feel they are some of the warmest people with a wonderful sense of humor and great pleasure for life. They really take so much out of life and take the time to enjoy everything. They will use any chance they can get to take off work or eat another slice of tarte, and it can really make you see how Europeans get the most out of everythig. I think I became much more aware of how much Americans work and how different societies take care of their citizens in general. But I will say French people definitely can live up to their somewhat unfavorable reputation. A nasty mix of haughty, passive-aggressive, and distant/cold has been known to ruin a day or two of many American students. The sense of politeness and etiquette of every shop keeper, bureaucrat, and administrator exceeds my grandmother in even her most zealous reading of Emily Post. It is built into the language and every day life to have various, somewhat nonsensical levels of formality and social cues are like a whole different language unto themselves. It is not my favorite part of being her, but I guess it is a lesson learned!

My classes here were great and I feel like my French has improved. Instead of speaking like I am reciting 19th century novels or reading my latest essay out in class, I speak with much more fluency and comfort than ever before. Having all my courses in French was daunting at first, but I have managed to get really high marks just as much as in New York and the teachers were wonderful. In my history of modern art class, we got to see some of the best 20th century art museums in Paris and the teacher really made the most out of the city, taking us to a different exhibit or museum every week. The NYU staff was very caring and organized, arranging some really fun speakers and interesting events for us to attend at the university campus here. I liked that they knew my name and I felt like I got to know many of them. I also got to meet so many other fellow students here I never would have met in New York. We all came to Paris for different reasons with different sets of expectations, but we managed to form some kind of community and I made many very special friends in the past 4 months I plan to keep in touch with this summer and in the fall.

A List of my Top Ten Favorite Paris Things--in no particular order
1) Baguettes







2) Musee d'Orsay









3) Day trip to the Giverny Gardens and Monet's House






4) The Louvre










5) Angelina's Hot Chocolate






6) The Marais (Jewish-gay-really trendy) neighborhood








7) Le Grand Epicerie de Paris at Bon Marche






8) Wandering along the Seine at night












9) Spending hours at a cafe









10) Parc Monceau (the gorgeous public garden near my apartment)







I want to leave and go back to my family, my friends, and my city, but I also could stay a while longer. Overall I feel like this was a tremendous opportunity that I will always remember. Paris is a city where you can feel the history and the sense of pride it has in itself in each and every neighborhood. The food was obviously a perk, and I will miss running to a bakery whenever neccessary for a crusty baguette or flakey butter-based pastry. I hope to have many happy, safe returns to this incredible city and I know that it will still hold the special place in my heart it has since I came here with my family when I was 13 years old. Europe is still my passion and I know I made the most out of my time here.

A special thanks to my parents who encouraged me to write this blog (and read it) and for making this semester even at all a possibility.

Thanks for reading! Au revoir...