Abroad Passport: January in Paris
It’s been about a month since I boarded the plane from JFK Airport to study abroad in Paris. This past month has been filled with more ups and downs, fashion, Google Translator, and croissants than I could have ever imagined. As someone who knows little-to-no French, I was a little in over my head when I decided to study here. However, after being here for over a month now, I can officially say that I genuinely live like Carrie Bradshaw in Paris. Here are my top four takeaways so far.
The city of Paris is larger than life. Literally. It’s freaking huge. Google maps has become my best friend as I am constantly using it to navigate my way around the city. The metro is the best and quickest way to get around the city. No matter how exhausted or hungover you are, the metro is always the most superior way to get around. Uber and taxis are ridiculously expensive and have proven to not be very reliable. If you are in Paris for more than 48 hours, I recommend getting a Navigo Pass (The Parisian Metro ticket).
Second, it’s all about layering. It doesn’t matter what you are wearing under your jacket. All that matters is that you are bundled up and look put together. Since being here, I have learned that as fashionable as Paris is, the average Parisian wears simple, clean outfits. It’s best to blend in with the locals when it comes to clothing. Most people wear either beige, black, or navy every day. My advice for an everyday outfit in the city is to invest in a neutral-colored peacoat paired with a warm sweater, blue jeans, and a warm pair of boots. Each day you can style the coat differently. My favorite winter accessory to spice up any outfit has been colorful scarves. Scarves have allowed me to keep my wardrobe bright while still looking as Parisian as possible.
Explore as much as possible. Paris is filled with millions of hidden gems such as fashion exhibits, dive bars, and breathtaking gardens. Since being in Paris, one of my favorite things I’ve done was visiting the Thierry Mugler Costume Exhibit. If you are visiting Paris within the next month, I highly recommend visiting the exhibition. Mugler’s camp-like, larger-than-life designs are on display to honor the brilliant late designer and all his work. It was truly a breathtaking experience. In addition, if you are visiting Paris for enough time, I would one hundred percent take the train to the Palace of Versailles. I have never seen such a beautiful and well-manicured place in my entire life. If you want to feel like a Parisian princess, spend the day walking through the Palace and the Gardens. It is truly straight out of a fairytale.
Finally, the food. Paris is the home of fine dining. It is true what you heard about the Parisians. Everyone here loves, and I mean LOVES, a long meal. The French love to dine and really take their time, so keep that in mind if you are planning on going out after dinner or doing anything after dinner, for that matter. In addition, lunch hour is really a thing here. If you walk the streets of Paris between noon and two in the afternoon, you will see cafes filled to the brim with people slowing sipping on a glass of wine, smoking cigarettes, and eating a croissant. My advice is to pull up a chair at the café and enjoy the Parisian way of life. Never again will you see so many people on such a leisurely lunch break.
Overall, Paris is an incredible city and place to live. However, you need to have confidence and a thick skin to handle Parisian culture. If you are up for the challenge, I recommend studying abroad here. It will change your life.
Written By Charlotte Gold, University of Wisconsin-Madison ‘23