Emily (no longer) in Paris
Emily Hanna
There are a few things I’m glad to be leaving on the continent; metros at rush hour, the French University system, the oddly elitist clubbing scene, the lack of cheddar, my suspicious landlord who has ghosted me and has not returned my deposit, and once again, the French University system (see previous columns if confused.) The things I’ll miss, however, I simply would not be able to fit in this column.
Having now officially swapped the Seine for the Lagan and being demoted from ‘Emily in Paris’ to ‘Emily in Belfast,’ I’m publishing my final words of wisdom on the Parisian experience and studying abroad.
Doing a semester abroad as opposed to a year is difficult as it feels as if you should always be busy, not wasting a second of what little time you have there. I think that realising I could sit in and do nothing in my own apartment is what made it feel like I really lived in Paris. And as much as I liked to believe my wearing a trench coat and drinking espressos made me a convincing Parisian, I’m sure my ‘I heart Paris’ t-shirt gave it away.
I’d never visited Paris before living there so everything was new to me. I had a list of activities I wanted to tick off, and I achieved almost all of them (I will get to Disneyland eventually.)
Thanks to my influx of visitors in November, I’ve devised a route through Paris that ticks off every sightseeing spot before midday.
For those interested take Metro 6 to Bir Hakeim and view the Eiffel Tour from the Trocadero Gardens, from there walk down Avenue Kleiber to the Arc de Triomphe and browse the Champs d’Elysse. Then hop on Metro 2 to Pigalle and climb the steps to the Sacre Coeur. (Paris from the Sacre Coeur at sunset was easily a favourite view of mine.) A short walk will take you to the famous Fotoautomat and the Wall of Love. Metro 4 to Les Halles will get you back into central Paris where you can visit the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay or Musee de l’Orangerie. (Happy hours are from 3-7pm so avail of those in and around Le Marais.)
What I didn't expect to see was so many rotisserie chicken vending machines (yes you read that correctly) or so much dancing. Anyplace, anytime kind of thing- I even got involved in a flash-mob once, and I love the city all the more for it.
In terms of advice to anyone planning to study abroad, organisation and independence are key. Thoroughly research the institution you want to attend, and speak to students who’ve been before if possible. You are eligible for an increased student loan and will receive an Erasmus grant, so definitely do some saving beforehand if you don’t intend to work while abroad to ensure you don’t have to worry about finances. Using Monzo or Revolut also avoids international charges. Facebook groups are great for information and events, especially if you’re by yourself, but don’t worry if this isn’t where you meet your best friends for life.
Until next time, I’ll be reminiscing on wine and pastries by the Seine in the sun, sumo-wrestling in a bar basement with my favourite sorority girls, being stuck on the side of the road for three hours in Metz on a bus journey home from Luxembourg, the Sunday market outside our apartment window as well as the amazing people I got to meet.
Au revoir from Emily in Paris x
Emily Hanna is a third year English Literature student and both a Culture Deputy Editor and Health and Lifestyle Columnist for The Scoop.