Bonjour! I’m Ella, I’m currently enrolled in the CEA CAPA Study + Internship program and I can’t wait to share some of the tips and advice I wish I knew before arriving. When choosing a city to study abroad in, there are so many options, but I would highly encourage you to consider Paris. From the museums to the food, there are truly so many things to experience in the city and I cannot recommend it enough; even if your time here is brief, Paris is a vibrant and amazing city that has so much to offer.  

This is a shot from the outside of the Louvre, one thing I didn’t realize was how big the museum is, truly an iconic site! 

1. Public Transportation and the Metro 

When in a new city like Paris, using public transportation, including the Metro, bus, and Uber, is common. Getting a monthly or daily Metro pass provides easy city access. However, it is common to stand and not have a place to sit, but so far it hasn’t been too challenging and has allowed me to see different areas of the city. For example, there are multiple stations around Le Louvre which makes it very easy to stop by and appreciate all the architecture of the museum! Additionally, something I didn’t know is that the Metro isn’t 24/7 so on the weekdays it currently operates from 5:30am to 1:15am and on weekends it runs till 2:15am. But, there are Ubers readily available and they are very popular and (generally) aren’t that expensive.  

This photo was taken at night at the Louvre! The museum is truly so beautiful and it’s a must-see when coming to Paris!  

2. The “Bonjour” Effect and Common Etiquette  

Before arriving, I had some knowledge of communicating in French stores and cafés, but there are also unspoken rules. In France, saying "bonjour" upon entering shows respect and implies a level of respect for the language and the historical roots it has. Even at a counter, it's essential to greet before ordering. This not only enhances service but also minimizes the perception of rudeness or insensitivity associated with direct ordering, as is common in the US. Additionally, people appreciate the effort of speaking French, and even if it’s not perfect, your trying to speak the language is appreciated.  

3. Café and Restaurant Etiquette  

Upon my arrival, I wasn't sure what to expect from French cafés. Not all places are conducive to work; some are more for meetings than workspaces. Cafés vary, and while some are casual with students working, others are sit-down restaurants. In the city, there are famous spots like Café de Flore and Angelina’s but there are also many local spots that can serve more authentic French cuisine as well as the typical hot chocolate or coffee. By coming to Paris you can truly “see” the city through the cuisine and it’s been exciting to try different foods around the city, whether French cuisine or sushi, there are truly so many options and you really can’t go wrong!  

In this photo, you can see macarons at the bakery Pierre Hermé, I was able to try a few of them and they were so good, I would highly recommend checking them out!  

Here you can see a table at Café de Flore which has amazing hot chocolate and many other brunch options!  

4. Money and Payment  

Before coming here I didn’t know what it would be like to pay with cash versus card but since being here I have been pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to take out cash or pay by ApplePay and other online applications. For example, when going out to eat, it is very common for the server to come by with a handheld scanner where you can easily split the bill and pay with your phone or card. So far, this has been the main way I’ve paid while being here and only a handful of times have I used cash. Additionally, there are ATMs on most streets and it’s very easy to take out cash with a minimal additional charge to convert from US dollars to euros. One piece of advice I would give is to just remember that the euro’s value is currently less than the dollar so you may be charged more than the listed price of the item: for example, currently 1 euro is equal to $1.08 (USD). 

5. Lifestyle and what to expect when you arrive 

Before arriving abroad, I was uncertain about what to expect. Feeling nervous is normal, but you'll quickly adjust to your new neighborhood and life in Paris. One piece of advice I would give is to first take a trip to a local store like Monoprix for essentials and have fun with it! My roommate and I enjoyed looking at different foods, bedding, and even shampoo and conditioner—choose things you like! Enjoy the experience of making your new space feel like home and consider bringing photos or personal items like photographs or a favorite tapestry. You can always buy cheap posters while here but bringing something small will make it easy to settle in.  

Here you can see me walking with two other girls from the CEA CAPA program. This was during our first day and we had just finished having lunch by Centre Pompidou! 

Overall, studying abroad is a journey and it’s important to be gentle with yourself, after all, it’s not easy to move to a different country and adapt to (possibly) a new language. Although my experience is in Paris specifically, I would highly recommend studying abroad, it’s truly a transformative experience and there’s nothing quite like it.  

Anyways, â bientôt et merci pour lire mon article!