Paris: An Interview with My Professor

Emma Lofthus is a student at Luther College and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emma is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

I had that chance to speak with with my Cinema professor, Irène Savarit-Ghebreyal, and ask her about Paris. Irène was born in NYC to French parents and moved back to Paris at a young age. She has now been living in Paris for 40 years. Living in the 9^th arrondissement, she is now married to an Egyptian man, her life consisting of 3 different cultures. I asked for her opinions on Paris and France. Here are her responses to my questions, which I’ve translated from French.

Rodin museum, 7th arrondissement – one of my fave places in Paris too

5 Tips for Breaking Bread in Paris

Although I studied abroad in France a few summers ago, my French had gotten rusty since then, and so have my table manners.

Paris Problems: Using French in the City of Lights

Emma Lofthus is a student at Luther College and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emma is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

Living and studying in Paris isn’t always as perfect as it sounds. Being a 4-month student and being a week-long tourist are different worlds. We have such horrible #parisproblems here, like: The pastries are too good and bakeries are everywhere. There’s too many people on the Champs-Elysées. What museum should I visit: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, or Centre Pompidou? The Paris National Opera only has concerts/operas every other week. Sometimes I have to wait 5 minutes instead of 3 minutes for the métro. My once-a-week class actually has homework for next week.

How to Get a “P” in Paris

Abby Melton is a student at the University of Alabama and an ISA Featured Blogger. Abby is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

Studying session at a student-friendly café called, “Sugarplum”

So as I’m getting used to being a student at the Sorbonne in Paris, I’m also getting used to the French style of teaching.  To me, it’s generally quite different from how professors teach in the States, but there are still commonalities. For me, it’s been difficult to adjust to their specific style, but alas. Here are some things that I’ve recognized as “the French teaching style:”

The State Fair: Iowa Meets France

Evie Sue Ward is a student at Iowa State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Evie Sue is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

I remember the first time I went to a state fair. (Dream sequence music as I sigh nostalgically…) ‘Twas only a few summers ago. My family and I had just moved to Nebraska from Washington D.C. Wanting to get the real “Mid-West” experience, my parents decided that our summer vacation would be to Iowa for the state fair. Turns out, state fairs suck. It was hot and humid, which contributed to the not-so-pleasant smell of bovine fecal matter. My mom kept insisting we see some cow made of butter, I got sick after a bite of a deep-fried Twinkie, and I ran out of money before I could ride the camel.

Top Ten Things to Adore in Paris

A lot of French youth come to the banks of the Seine, especially near Notre Dame, in the late afternoon.

5 Unexpected Differences Between France and U.S. Living

Emma Lofthus is a student at Luther College and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emma is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

I am not an untraveled person- I’ve been to Greece, Austria, Germany, Puerto Rico, Canada, Sweden, and even France one other time before. All those trips do not, however, eliminate the culture “surprise” (not quite “shock”, per se) I got my first 2 weeks in Paris. Here is a condensed list of the things I had forgotten or never knew about France:

Rainy, but beautiful, Paris

The Pooches of Paris

Evie Sue Ward is a student at Iowa State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Evie Sue is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

Since this is my first blog post as a featured blogger for ISA, I think it’s important that you get a closer insight as to who I am. One thing you should know off the bat: I’m a total dog person. To the point of obsession. We’re talking Facebook profiles for my dogs. I don’t apologize.

I don’t know where 101 Dalmatians was set, but if wasn’t Paris, it should’ve been. I’ve only seen 1 Dalmatian thus far, but in the week I’ve been here, I’m certain I’ve seen at least 100 other dogs. On the street, in the métro, even in some posh shops, Parisians don’t seem to have any restrictions on where dogs are allowed to roam.

A note to the wise: the French don’t seem to take well to strangers taking pictures of their hounds.

Five Tips for Getting to Paris (Alone)

Abby Melton is a student at the University of Alabama and an ISA Featured Blogger. Abby is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

I arrived in Paris a day ahead of schedule, so it was up to me to get to my hotel room and around the city by myself. So, this is what I’ve learned thus far on arriving in France without a phone or Wifi, and with a reserved amount of cash:

Still Pre-Departure

Emma Lofthus is a student at Luther College and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emma is currently studying abroad with ISA in Paris, France.

Well, my week has been quite a bit less exciting and new than other ISA Students who have left on their programs. I’m still at home in Minnesota, getting ready and packing for Paris! Here is an inventory of my waking hours in the last 7 days, in approximate percentages: