Joie de Vivre

Thanks to CEA, I had by far the best study abroad I could have possibly had in Paris. Their orientation well prepared me for life in a foreign country and was well tailored to the needs and desires of a college student. The academics were excellent and were clearly the focus of the program, but weren't so overwhelming that I felt like I didn't have time to explore my interests in the city. The weekly "outings" helped me get to know history about the city I wouldn't have learned otherwise, as well as let me get to know different CEA staff members who all offered different advice and life experiences which will ultimately help inform my own future career and travel choices. CEA also gave me a community in a foreign country that I couldn't have found elsewhere, because they connected me to other American students that had similar interests to my own. Finally, CEA managed to create a perceived bubble of safety in a country that has been deeply affected by terrorism.
I wish I could share a story to help show just how life changing this experience was for me, but how do you share a story when what you most fell in love with was daily Parisian life? It was thrilling to become accustomed to walking through the streets of Paris to class every morning surrounded by other French speaking individuals (amazing to me as I've studied French for years and have never been able to immerse myself so much into it). I fell in love with spending time people watching at Jardin du Luxembourg, or the steps of Sacre Coeur, or walking along the Seine. I will always cherish memories of picnicking with friends in front of the Eiffel Tower, enjoying each others company and laughing about the antics of tourists vs. locals. It's likely I would have had an amazing time in this city no matter which program I decided to go through, but after the two months I had, it would be impossible not to recommend CEA to fellow world travelers.