Finding My Footing in Paris 

The “City of Lights” has been beyond welcoming for my first week here! Equally welcoming has been the CEA CAPA program and its staff, who create a friendly and supportive atmosphere for newly arrived study abroad students. Upon arrival, I found my way to my independent housing in the Marais, just minutes away from the CEA CAPA study center on the charming Rue de Braque. After a long day of unpacking and jet lag naps, I made my way over to the center to check in and meet the wonderful program staff. They made sure to explain every detail of the area and what to expect during the first week, along with answering any questions I had about the journey ahead. 

Orientation Activities 

The first day of orientation started at a theater in Place de la République, in the 11th arrondissement! The first presentation was a lifesaver as it explained everything my fellow study abroad students and I needed to know about our new home. From the geography of the city to the organization of the classic Paris street signs, we learned the skills necessary to orient ourselves around Paris. 

One of my favorite parts of orientation was learning about the character of each arrondissement, including where to find certain cuisines based on the cultural focus of each district! The staff was able to take the most daunting elements of moving abroad and turn them into approachable tasks, especially navigating the metro and using phone lines. 

Looking Ahead for the Semester 

Once the basics had been covered, we discussed our plans and excursions for the semester, which were intentionally chosen to give students local and regional experiences within France! During orientation week, our schedule was filled with delicious meals from French restaurants, accompanied by incredible activities to get to know Paris beyond tourist attractions. 

At the restaurant Les Cuivres, in the 11th arrondissement, we had a delicious yellow curry salmon over basmati rice on the first day of orientation! 

My favorite activity was the Seine River cruise, which gave us a chance to get to know the other students better, all while enjoying a guided tour of the history of Paris from the water. The remainder of the week provided students with opportunities to see Paris from above, whether from the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, or the Sacré-Cœur. The program calendar offers several opportunities to immerse students in French culture through museum tours, movie screenings, and the first day trip to Auvers-sur-Oise and Tilly! 

Our river cruise on the Seine gave us a chance to learn about Paris’s monuments and architecture close-up while getting to know other CEA CAPA students! 

Our First Day Trip 

For our first excursion, CEA CAPA took us to the French towns of Tilly and Auvers-sur-Oise! With program-provided transportation, we started the day in Tilly, about an hour outside of Paris, at the Ferme des Ruelles, a family-owned cider farm. Owner Michel Galmel explained the social and ecological perspectives that influenced the organization of his farm. 

He explained that the aim is to reach a point where the farm no longer uses harmful substances, such as gasoline, and instead contributes positively to the atmosphere. Using his knowledge of the environment and animals, he cultivated a farm that sustains itself, producing apple products such as cider, juice, and spreads. 

After learning about the production process, it was time to try the products! He provided us with samples of apple ciders with different concentrations and flavors. He then took us into the gift store, where we could explore all the products they offered, and he even made us a tasting board with snacks of all kinds. My favorite items were the apple raspberry cider and the spicy zucchini crostini! 

Cider farm owner Michel Galmel explained the agriculture of the farm over the years with these maps, tracking the animal and plant species numbers, and growth of 'plantable' lands. 

After the cider farm, we drove to a restaurant called Le Nid, on the Oise river, where we had a delicious French fondue meal! We enjoyed pots of fondue made from Comté and Cantal cheeses, with lots of options for dipping. In the picture, you can see the delicious charcuterie they served, with cornichons and various types of meats. For dessert, we had a cream puff on a bed of melted chocolate, and it was so flavorful! 

At Le Nid, I had my first traditional French fondue experience, with our own cheese pots and various dipping options, such as fresh bread and charcuterie! 

Our last stop of the day was Auvers-sur-Oise, a town where Vincent van Gogh painted and spent the end of his life. We started at the Château d'Auvers, which has been turned into a museum displaying some of his pieces. The program arranged for an audio tour, where we listened to a narrated explanation of his life.

At the Château d'Auvers, we saw many of Van Gogh’s pieces, such as his famous The Bedroom painting, inspired by his bedroom in the Yellow House, in Arles, France. 

We then walked 10 minutes from the château to Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, the church depicted in Van Gogh’s famous church painting! It was such a surreal experience to see the village that inspired some of the most renowned paintings in the world. 

To end the tour, we paid homage to the painter by visiting his tomb before heading back to Paris. Throughout the excursion, we were able to learn about the rich cultural and historical experiences that have shaped France’s past and present!