By Angel Yuan
Studying abroad in Paris sounds like something straight out of a rom-com, right? The Eiffel Tower, baguettes, Paris Fashion Week—what’s not to love? Well, let me tell you what really happens when you trade Pomona’s campus for a semester abroad at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, also known as Sciences Po Paris.
Now, imagine a girl from Canada who’s been learning French since Grade 1, finally landing in Paris, not knowing what to expect. I was so nervous leading up to the trip that I had thought of all the worst-case scenarios. What if the locals couldn’t understand any of my French? What if the public transportation system was bad (you can tell how little research I did given that Paris has one of the most sophisticated and convenient public transportation systems I’ve ever experienced)?
While many people may over-romanticize Paris prior to visiting, I ended up romanticizing Paris the more I lived there. I became enamored with European café culture, the cute boulangeries, the abundance of museums and galleries, and the plethora of Christmas markets. Seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time? I get the hype. Turns out, the sparkly structure is somehow just as magical on the hundredth view as it is on the first.
The Good Stuff (Pastries and Pastry-Level Experiences)
For five months, I basically lived out every foodie’s fantasy. Paris delivered on the French pastry front, and I didn’t hold back. Escargot? Check. Steak frites? Check. Truffle goat cheese? Chef’s kiss. But the surprise hit? Authentic Chinese food. I found amazing Szechuan malatang and the best biang-biang noodles outside of China. So yes, while I was munching on croissants by day, I was slurping spicy noodles by night, proving Paris is truly the ultimate fusion city.
And of course, where would I be without a little sampling of the local spirits? Oktoberfest in Munich made sure I’d had my fill of beer for, well, maybe the next few years. My new friend from Prague even taught me how to ask for one in Czech (“jedno pivo prosím” – essential info). But as glamorous as sangria on a Barcelona rooftop sounds, nothing beats sipping on a cheap bottle of red wine on the Champs de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower.
But Wait—Travel Isn’t All Butter and Brie
Here’s where things took a twist. Not everything was picture-perfect. I did, in fact, get mugged (don’t worry, I’m fine, and yes, you’re allowed to laugh). While losing my necklace wasn’t ideal, I took it in stride and added it to my “learning experiences” column. If nothing else, I’ve now mastered the art of “Parisian peripheral vision.”
And then, there were the awkward microaggressions—which to be fair, certainly are not limited to just France or even Europe. When asked where I was from, people rarely took Canada as an answer, instead persistently interrogating me on “my origins.” I was “nihao-ed” more times than I could count, but hey, every encounter taught me a bit more about patience, and I may have even educated a few folks along the way.
Friends, Freedom, and the Fine Art of Alone Time
The truth is, studying abroad can feel like high school all over again—you’re suddenly the new kid trying to find your people. I arrived solo, social butterfly wings in full flutter, but my first friends didn’t quite turn out to be my people. This led to a pretty big lesson: sometimes, the best company is your own. I learned to enjoy my solo adventures, from museum marathons to park picnics, and slowly but surely, I found friends who matched my vibe.
Fast forward to today, and I’m still in touch with these incredible friends, sharing memories of road trips and train rides across Europe. Since then, I’ve met up with my study abroad friends both within the U.S. and even abroad, and I’m forever grateful for these new friends I made.
So, Would I Do It Again? Absolutely.
Despite the hiccups along the way, my semester abroad was transformative. Living in a new city, navigating different languages, and handling unfamiliar situations gave me the resilience and perspective that no classroom can offer. Studying abroad is about as close as you can get to a “choose your own adventure” novel in real life.
So, if you’re even remotely considering it, I say go for it. Build your bridges, not walls (and maybe learn to say “one beer, please” in a couple of different languages, just in case). The world is big, beautiful, and full of unforgettable experiences—just waiting for you to dive in. And hopefully you’ll fall in love with your study abroad experience just as much as I did.
