Student Blog

Read first-hand accounts from our students about their experiences on APA programs.

Packing for your semester abroad

February 22, 2017

by apaparis

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been a full seven weeks (!) since I arrived in Paris. Many students from my home university are just departing on their study abroad adventures, and I feel incredibly lucky that I’ve already gotten to spend so much time in Paris. I can safely get myself home from the airport without a cell phone or Citymapper, the handy iPhone app with maps and real-time transit; I know the best crêpe places in my neighborhood, and I’ve already pointed a few visiting friends in the right direction for sightseeing and shopping. I never thought I’d be able to give Paris advice after just shy of two months of being here! With a little time to reflect on my travels and sejour in Paris in general, I can safely say I’ve done one thing almost completely right: packing my bags. There’s plenty of advice out there, and I think we’ve all heard it (though many of us didn’t quite obey it). Lay out everything and divide by half. Pack in the same color family for... Read More

A Hint of Spring in Paris & Our First Chateau!

February 6, 2017

by apaparis

I have a habit of carrying around a little journal with me. It’s different from the one that’s full of French words I learn in real-life and should probably get around to memorising. It doesn’t have lined pages; instead, I tape in billets and brochures and... Read More

Weekend trip to Normandy and Brittany

January 23, 2017

by apaparis

APA headed to Normandy and Brittany on Saturday for our first weekend trip! Departing at around 8am on Saturday morning, we drove the 4-5 hours to St. Malo – a medieval village in Northwestern France that looks out onto the English channel. The walled city is notorious... Read More

Salut Paris !

January 11, 2017

by apaparis

Salut, mes amis! My name is Liv Burns, and I’m a junior at George Washington University studying journalism and french. I’ve been lucky enough to receive the opportunity to blog for APA during my semester in Paris! I hope you enjoy a recount of my first few days in... Read More

Final Thoughts on Paris

December 28, 2016

by apaparis

This is my last last post on the APA blog! After 4 months, it’s time to wrap up my experience and say my goodbyes. I’ve been back in the US for a week now and I’ve had a little bit of time to reflect on the end of my stay and my overall time in Paris.... Read More

Teaching English!

December 21, 2016

by apaparis

Thursday mornings were perhaps my favorite time of the week. Each Thursday, I went to Fenelon in the 8th arrondissement to assist in english classes. Each week we did something different. Sometimes I would talk about a topic they were studying and they would write notes on what... Read More

Thanksgiving in Paris

December 10, 2016

by apaparis

Two weeks ago, everyone in APA gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving! We had it at  this beautiful one room restaurant in the 13th arrondissement called Chez Nathalie. They served traditional thanksgiving food. All the favorites: turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy,... Read More

London Study Tour!

December 4, 2016

by apaparis

At the start of November, we hopped on the Eurostar and in two hours, APA was in London. We stayed in Victoria, and we spent two days touring and presenting on London architecture, Tate Britain, Courtauld Gallery, and the National Gallery for our 19th century French Art... Read More

Brussels

November 24, 2016

by apaparis

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I can’t believe November is already almost over. It has flown past, especially with our Study Tours in London and in Brussels this month. I’m finally getting around to putting up all the photos from our trips, so take a look! Tonight, APA... Read More

Paris Photo 2016 at the Grand Palais!

November 14, 2016

by apaparis

Hello blog world! Last Thursday, I attended Paris Photo, aka a photographer’s dream come true. It’s a huge exhibition of that happens in the Grand Palais. I’d been looking forward to it since a professor who knew I was going to Paris told me about it in the spring.... Read More

Arc de Triomphe

November 8, 2016

by apaparis

Last week, I finally climbed the spiral staircase of the Arc de Triomphe. I had heard it was perhaps the most breathtaking view of Paris ,and I was not disappointed. It was a cloudy sunset, but my friend and I stayed up there until the lights of the Eiffel turned on to watch it... Read More

October in Photos

November 1, 2016

by apaparis

I’ve just returned to Paris after spending 5 days in Prague for fall break. It was the first time I had left France since the end of August. While Prague was lovely (more on that to come), I was excited to return to Paris. I already feel a bit at home here, and it’s... Read More

A Neighborhood I love: Montmartre

October 27, 2016

by apaparis

One of my favorite neighborhoods to walk around in is Montmartre. Perched on a hill in the North of Paris, a visit to Montmartre feels like you’ve left the city. It’s known for being the home of artists and musicians (Picasso had an apartment here), and it’s... Read More

Un séjour en Normandie

October 20, 2016

by apaparis

... Read More

Glimpses into Paris

October 13, 2016

by apaparis

The best parts of living in Paris aren’t the obvious parts. It’s not the glamorous Champs Elysées, it’s not shopping on Rue di Rivoli, it’s not even the view from the Eiffel Tower. The best part is walking, because by walking Paris becomes part of you and you become... Read More

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