About Paris
Enchanting Paris is a city of transformation. Here, a California outlook can quickly evolve into a Paris state of mind. Wandering the streets to find hidden gems will be your new life path. Finding inspiration and beauty everywhere—the endless art museums, incomparable fashions, the classic architecture, the River Seine—will be your new personal quest. Living life in communal spaces like parks, squares, and cafés will be your new home life. Enjoying simple pleasures like a glass of wine, a delicious meal with friends, and browsing open-air markets for treasures will be your new passion. Celebrate joie de vivre, the intoxicating culture, a rich history, and a legacy of culinary excellence in the unforgettable City of Light.
Where is Paris
What to do in Paris
- Rue des Martyrs: Experience the true essence of Paris on this street lined with cafés, bakeries, and boutiques.
- Cooking class: Learn how French chefs work their culinary magic at a free cooking class at the French Cooking Federation.
- Canal Saint-Martin: Sit on the edge of the canal with a croissant and a refreshing drink or catch a boat to cruise the nearby River Seine.
- The Louvre: Gaze at the great mysteries of the art world such as the Venus de Milo or the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Enter the world's largest art museum through the iconic glass pyramid, a Paris landmark and fantastic spot for photos.
- Eiffel Tower: Photograph the panoramic view of Paris from the top of the iron structure during the day and admire its illuminated form from the Trocadéro across the Seine at night.
Media Gallery
My UCEAP internship taught me the value of language immersion and has inspired me to work for an intercultural exchange organization in my future career. My French improved drastically and being in an immersive professional setting played a huge role in that improvement. My experience left me with soft skills such as active listening, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication. Through hard work and perseverance, I gained the hard skill of foreign language proficiency in French and I am more excited than ever for life after UCSB. I am confident that I can contribute in meaningful ways to my future workplace, regardless of whether it is abroad or domestic.
Working in a professional setting in another country is eye opening in terms of being able to explore different environments and how they function. I now have some background interacting and communicating with professionals in another country and language. I am inspired to pursue opportunities that involve working with the language learning process and I am looking forward to applying this direction to my career path.
While I did face challenges, I had an incredible experience. I proved to myself that I can be self-sufficient, live and work using another language, and adapt to life in a different country. I have a new confidence to strive for the things I wish to do.
My semester abroad has undoubtedly been the most transformative experience of my college career. For four months, I took courses in French and English supplementing the political science framework I developed at Berkeley. In addition to academic coursework, I also received an international education through peers and faculty. From Canada to Korea to Croatia, I came in contact with people from all corners of the world, each with divergent perspectives on everything from politics to food to sports. Among the many souvenirs I brought home, I carry with me the lessons and connections that will last a lifetime.
This program provides a great opportunity to holistically learn about Parisian history and culture while diving into the specifics of social justice in France. The French language and history classes definitely supplemented the more specialized courses I took. Many classes incorporated onsite lessons, so the knowledge learned through readings and lectures is reinforced by the city itself. The program definitely made a lasting impact on my life. I am much more internationally aware and have a stronger desire to learn about other cultures. Even after I arrived home, I still immersed myself in French and European culture through podcasts, music, movies, and Duolingo.
I can confidently say that this experience was invaluable for helping me realize my career goals in ways I could not have imagined. As someone pursuing a career as a museum professional, I knew that London and Paris would have a lot to offer. What I did not expect was the sheer volume and diversity of museums in either city. Of course I looked forward to the British Museum and the Louvre, but exploring lesser known museums allowed me to consider all the different purposes museums serve and how their presentation, content, and visitor engagement can reflect those purposes. My definition of what museums can or should be has dramatically expanded in a way that I am eager to explore.
