Settling in...

After all of the technical difficulties having a layover and what not, I am happy to say that I am finally in Paris, France! Getting off the plane in Paris was a little bit scary…everything was different including the smell. Not in a bad way, just something I am not used to. While I was on the airplane (for about 8 hours) I was practicing simple French words, so I didn’t seem like a rude American. Being able to say “Bonjour and merci” (hello and thank you) is very important!

Since we left at a late time back in Detroit, we made it to Paris early in the morning. Instead of going to relax for a bit we started a full day of touring. The professors were not lying when they said there was going to be a lot of walking. Getting to Cite Universitaire was a hike! We had to take the Metro, it is kind of like a subway. Getting through each metro with large luggage and trying to stay together with a group of people, was pretty tricky…(a few people got stuck a few times) but WE MADE IT! 

Cite Universitaire 

Over the course of the stay, there are three classes merged together as one. Which I am kind of curious to see how it will all work. Edward Orlowski is teaching Allied, Steven Rost is teaching Photography, and my Professor James Rodgers teaching Literature and Art. 

Before leaving for Paris, my class met 5 times prior to prepare for the course. So far in the class we have read; Americans in Paris Adam Gopnike, A Moveable Feast Ernest Hemingway, Tender Is the Night F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Notes of a Native Son James Baldwin. We have also analyzed art and music from Paris, and held class discussions and wrote papers about the thoughts that we had. While in Paris, each student is to pick something of interest to research during our stay. At the end of the trip, back at Lawrence Technological University, we will be presenting our research. I have chose to research the differences of the social communication in America vs. the way people communicate in Europe. 

Anyways.... now that I am finally here in Paris and settled in my dorm, I feel really independent. Yes, I have my classmates and professors around. But as I mentioned in my last blog, I have never been this far away from my family before on my own. Before I came, my family was prepping me a lot about being careful and watching what I say about my religion and what not. After being here for a couple days and doing a little bit of people watching. It really is hard to tell if people are actually here from Paris or not because it is so diverse here, like America. Honestly anywhere you go, you are going to find prejudice people...so I am not too worried. Well I am heading off to explore some more of Paris. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to ask!

Paris Jitters

I am going to PARIS in t-minus 10 days! There are so many things going through my mind. First of all I am taking 3 classes so I am a little stressed out about that, but I know that once I go to Paris…everything should start falling into place. Well before I go into my thoughts let me introduce myself…Hello my name is Rachel Sweet, I am a junior studying Media Communications and I am currently taking Foundations of American Experience, World Masterpieces 1 and the Paris class which is Literature and Art. (A LOT of reading)

The reason why I chose to study abroad to Paris, France this summer is really to experience more of the world and figure myself out a little more. I have never gone anywhere overseas without my family before, and I feel that this will be a huge growing experience for me. I also haven’t done much research on Paris, France so I am kind of just going with the flow and I am extremely nervous and excited about it. (Plus I don’t know any French) I really do not know what to expect! I keep asking everyone around for advice that I know that has studied abroad, and I feel that even though I am asking for all this advice…I really just need to experience it on my own.

I chose the summer program rather than a full semester program because I honestly don’t think I can handle being away from home for more than a month. But after this trip who knows what could happen! My flight is on July 28^th at 9:35 pm; we will arrive in Paris at 11:30am the next day. (If the flights go as planned) We will be staying at Cite Universtaire in dorms there. My goals for while I’m in Paris is, just to experience and embrace a different culture, go to the Eiffel tower, play guitar outside somewhere public, and meet up with my best friend from high school that lives in Germany! These are small yet simple goals, and I’m sure that I will think of more goals while I’m there. As a Media Communications student going on an Architecture focused trip, I am going to try to embrace everything and maybe learn something new that I would have never learned if I have not decided to go on this trip.

 Who knows the people I will meet or the experiences I will go through! I am just so full with excitement and butterflies. I am literally staring at my suitcase and it is completely empty, I don’t even know where to start. You have to experience the world. Even if you don’t know what your getting yourself into. I can’t wait to break out of my Michigan bubble and see and experience Paris, France!