M.E. Harp - Summer 2024 Study Abroad in Paris, France
Join M.E. as she goes about a regular day in Paris on her study abroad program. She demonstrates where she lives, works, eats, travels, and rests, while providing commentary on her life there.
From Houston to Paris: Navigating Culture Shock and Embracing New Adventures
May 22, 2024 | Written by M.E. Harp, ‘25
5 days in and wow! Culture shock is real! Leaving Houston and my family was a hard goodbye, but I can already tell that this experience will be well worth it. When I arrived in Paris, one of my AIFS roommates had already moved in, so that was so nice having a buddy right off the bat. AIFS did a great job with our accommodations, and I have a private balcony off of my bedroom with a view of the tippity top of the Eiffel Tower! The other students are from all over the US- Ohio, Florida, West Virginia, North Carolina, and so on. It’s amazing to see how we come from all over our country for the united desire to have work experience in Paris.
Some of the challenges that I’ve faced so far would be jetlag, the language barrier, and being far from people who know me. I’ve never experienced jetlag this bad, and my first night here, I only got one hour of sleep! I’m thankful to say that I’ve recovered and last night I think I even got a good nine hours. As a student of French, I am trying to only speak French here, but it gets frustrating when I still don’t understand so much. This frustration is a part of the process, though, and without it, I doubt that I would ever progress. The transition of leaving friends and family is tough, but being here has definitely shown me my introverted side that I didn’t realize I had so strongly. My roommates are very different from my friends from home which can be hard at times, but also such a good opportunity for me. My first day of work was yesterday, and the other intern is a French business student here in Paris, and we got along so well! I’m really excited for my friendship with her.
Though these challenges are definitely present, I think that things will get easier day by day, as I have 11 weeks ahead of me! Some of the things that I’ve loved so far would be the beauty of the city and this new independent lifestyle. The architecture is beautiful, and the landscaping in the parks are pristine. I love the balconies, the layout of the streets, the hustle and bustle, and the outdoor terraces and cafes. They have numerous public parks here, and the greenery and colors of the flowers is the perfect place to rest. Last Sunday I walked to the park to write and read, and there was just nothing like it. I have also learned that the French know how to rest well. There were people of all ages there sitting, walking, laying in the grass, painting, or playing on the playground.
I can already tell that this exciting and hopeful city will teach and grow me in ways that I have never known before.
À la prochaine (until next time)!
M.E.
Balconies, Baguettes, and Busy Days: Interning in Paris
June 28th, 2024 | Written by M.E. Harp, ‘25
It’s been one month since my last update, and Paris is really starting to feel like home. Yesterday I was picking up a baguette from the bakery and some last minute groceries for dinner, and I knew both the baker and grocery store cashier. It was a surreal moment to realize that I have the opportunity to truly have the beautiful and exciting city Paris as my home this summer.
To update y’all on my internship experience so far, it has been a huge period of learning and adjustment. I can tell that I am gaining skills of adaptability that will benefit me professionally for the rest of my life. There are about five new softwares that I have had to both learn and use, and some of them aren’t even in English! It’s definitely a challenge, but a really good one. One thing that has surprised me in my internship so far is the intensity of the work that I am doing. I knew that I had some general tasks coming into it, but as my bosses have gotten to know me and my competency, as they say, they have trusted me with much bigger projects. They have even given me the floor to share my opinions and ideas, as well as encouraged me to execute them all. They are definitely keeping me busy, as I have 8 different projects that I’m working on!
Having studied abroad last summer, and having an internship this summer, there is a big difference in time commitment between the two programs. Obviously each course abroad and internship will look extremely different, but overall, you will have a lot more time to yourself as a study abroad student. As you can probably tell, I’m very busy with my internship this summer, working about 30-35 hours a week, while last summer I was in the classroom for 20 hours a week. And some people thought that was a lot! I don’t think that either option has been necessarily worse or harder, but you really just need to evaluate what you want. I came into this summer with lots of determination and a desire to work, and that’s just what I got. Last summer, I didn’t really have any expectations, and some time was spent in the classroom, while the rest was spent at home with my host family whom I adore.
My first highlight of little things that I am thankful for while being here would be my balcony that I spend so much time on. Whether it be eating dinner, Facetiming friends and family from home, reading, or just taking in the Parisian architecture and listening to all the sounds of the neighbors from the nearby apartments, this little spot has become a refuge for me. The next thing is so Parsisian cliché of me to say, but I am so thankful for the bread. It is just so good. I look forward to eating it every day and I wish I could bring some home to everyone I know. I am also really thankful for my supervisor at work and our relationship. Her job is to look out for me and make sure that I know exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, and she does it with a kind and caring heart that reassures me of my security for each of my projects and my internship overall.
Living in Paris as an American student who is learning the language and culture is not always easy, but so many things make it more than worth it. I already know that these 11 weeks in this city will be transformative ones that I’ll be eternally grateful for.
À la prochaine (until next time),
M.E.
Thanks for Coming Along
August 7th, 2024 | Written by M.E. Harp, ‘25
As I reflect on my time in Paris, thankfulness overwhelms me. Starting from the beginning of my days, I loved waking up in my small apartment, going to the neighborhood boulangerie, getting my bread for the day, then coming back and enjoying it with some fresh jam as my roommates and I head out into the city for another day of work.
The tasks that my bosses entrusted me with for my internship were challenging, yet exciting and fun. I loved the thrill of hard work toward products that I could be proud of when presenting them, especially when I got to experience the satisfaction they had with my work as well as their approval with who I am as a part of their team. I am so thankful for the small company that I got placed with because I was able to test my competency in so many different areas due to the small size.
The people I worked with also made work so much more enjoyable, and I loved the opportunity to perform with such an international group. I worked with two French team members, one Greek member, and one other American. We all had different ideas, coming from our different backgrounds, and it was cool to see how we all benefited from our differences as we strived to achieve the same goal.
Paris is additionally such an exciting city that offers so many different types of beautiful entertainment, whether that be a garden, an art museum, or just the experience of a French restaurant. Amidst this, there were also mundane days that were very much a part of my summer experience. For example, I had a lot of remote days for work which entailed just going to a cafe and getting all my work done there, coming home and making dinner, then calling it a day. Not every day was full for me, but I think that’s what made it feel like home.
Overall, my summer in Paris was exciting, challenging, refining, and eye-opening. I am leaving Paris with more confidence going into a senior year filled with job applications and interviews, as well as a new level of maturity having had to navigate and become comfortable with a new city, culture, and language. I also have a new appreciation for the French culture that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Thanks for coming along and au revoir!
M.E.