Beyond Academics: Learning Outside the Lecture

Studying abroad is about so much more than just what you learn in classes! There are learning experiences around every corner. Especially in Paris, one of the most historically rich cities in Europe. Here are some of the learning experiences that accompanied my studies inside the classroom.

Palace of  Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most recognizable sites in France. It was where the royal family of France resided from the reign of king Louis XIV to that of Louis XVI. Along with the royal family, between 6,000 and 7,000 nobles could be hosted at the palace at any one time. The palace and its grounds are so large that they were bigger than the City of Paris during the time of Bourbon rule. One of the most interesting insights I gained from our guided tour of the Palace of Versailles was just how public the royal families lives were. There were many rituals throughout the day, beginning with a viewing of them waking up, that were showcased for nobility and wealthy merchants who payed to observe the daily activities of the royal family. It almost seemed like their lives were a premodern reality show. So much for wanting to be royalty!

Art Museums

Paris has some of the world's best art museums. Among them the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Centre Pompidue left the greatest impact on me. The Louvre has art from most periods of human history, while Musée d'Orsay hosts impressionist artists and Centre Pompidue hosts contempory/modernist art. Additionally, there are smaller galleries throughout the city that host specific artists works including Monet, Picasso, and Salvador Dali. There are also tons of independent studios where up and coming artists showcase their work. My favorite one was 59 Rue de Rivoli, an art cooperative where you can go to watch artists producing their works and even purchase directly from the studio.

Amazing Churches

I found that one of the best ways to learn about the history of Paris was to visit the many cathedrals located around the city. Many of these churches have been around since medieval times, and host small sections devoted to the history of the neighborhoods they're located in. Notre Dame is the most famous cathedral in Paris, but some other great one include Sacre-Coeur, Sainte-Chapelle, and Sainte-Eustache. Additionally, there are tons of smaller catholic churches in every neighborhood just as rich with history as the big cathedrals. The best part about exploring catholic churches in Paris is that they're almost all free! And their high ceilings make them great places to cool off in the summer

Walking Tours

Part of our program involved various walking tours of the City of Paris. These included a revolutionary walking tour where we visited spots of many events from the French Revolution, and a walking food tour where we explored the various goodies Paris had to offer.

These are just some of the amazing out-of-the-classroom learning experiences that are possible when studying abroad in Paris!