Before my trip to Paris even began, the anticipation felt unreal. I had so many things I wanted to see and do, I even made a bucket list with my most coveted sights to see! My time in the airport was spent with my friends, who are also on this trip, planning various things to do. Once we finally landed, it hit me all at once how special this experience would be. I was exhausted from the flight, but the excitement got me through the first day with a little shopping at a French pharmacy and a group dinner at a creperie. My roommate Elizabeth and I have the privilege of a small balcony where we spent some time observing the Parisian life.
Each day starts with a group class in the lobby of our hotel. Here we learn about the historical figure we are learning about that day; not only do we gain an idea of the site visits, but these meetings have been a great way to get to know each other and bond as a group! We have learned so much about figures such as Peter Abelard and Heloise, St. Genevieve, Charles Baudelaire, and St. Ignatius. I’ve learned the most through the group field trips to Notre Dame, the crypt of St. Denis, and the Palace of Versailles, where I developed a clearer idea of how the Catholic religion shaped figures and society. An honorable mention has been Jim Morrison’s grave. When I discovered that he was buried at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, where we were visiting, I knew I had to visit. My mom is a huge fan of The Doors, so I knew she would love to see some pictures from that!
During my free time, I’ve spent time “getting lost” in Paris. My classmates and I pick an area and spend time exploring. We’ve spent a lot of time trying different cafes and different Parisian dishes, such as escargot! We have taken on the challenge of having an onion soup a day to rank each cafe we visit. Of course, we have indulged in many baguettes and pastries. The bakery next door to the hotel has been a frequent stop before our daily adventures.
A highlight of my trip so far has been spending New Year's Eve in a foreign country! I celebrated the day with my close friends with a nice dinner at La Rotonde. We ordered an amazing steak frites dish to ring in the New Year. I loved starting 2026 with old and new friends.
Thank you to the Kakos family and Manhattan University for allowing me the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience and learn all that I have so far. I look forward to the next half of my journey and what the end of the trip has in store!
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