The Eiffel Tower.

Study away enables NYU students to take their learning global. Students can choose from our 12 different global sites across the world to spend a summer, fall, winter, spring…. you name it! As a STEM student, my options were limited during academic semesters because many of my courses require laboratories, something only a limited number of sites have. Thankfully, the summer sessions made it possible for me to still study away while completing my degree requirements!

Classes at NYU Paris

During my time at NYU Paris, I was enrolled in a 6-credit course called Intensive Elementary French; meaning I was in class from 9AM-12PM every weekday, leaving me the rest of the day to get my homework done and practice my French in real life around the city! Every day we had a 15 minute break, so my classmates and I would go down to La Maison d’Isabelle and get croissants. Yes, every day. YOLO!

My professor made a great effort in making the city of Paris our classroom. We went on numerous field trips: we had a petit dejeuner (breakfast) at a local cafe, visited The Grande Mosquée de Paris, took a walking tour of the Latin Quarter, and visited the Institut du Monde Arabe. The small class size and my favorite professor at NYU made learning a significant amount of French in such a short period of time very reasonable.

three hands hold up Croissants
My friends' and I daily pastries!
Group photo of students overseeing Paris skyline
My classmates, myself, and professor atop the Institut du Monde Arabe
Professor and 2 students outside on a street corner
Shot of my professor and two classmates during our walking tour of the Latin Quarter
Outside of the Institut du Monde Arabe
The outside of the Institut du Monde Arabe
Sign posted outside of building saying
Building where Ernest Hemingway lived in the 5th arrondissement.

Exploring France!

In addition to exploring Paris on my own and through class, NYU Paris sponsored several different trips and activities throughout the term! Before I get to those, check out the slideshow below for some highlights from my own adventures!

The Seine river
The Seine river
Paris city view
Paris city view
view of Paris from overlook of Sacre-Coeur
View of Paris from overlook of Sacre-Coeur
Storefront with girl in front
Look at this fun storefront
Girl in front of Disneyland Paris castle
Me in front of the castle at Disneyland Paris!
Coast of South France, Cannes
Me in Cannes, France
Girl jumping in front of Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
Me jumping in from of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France
The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre
The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre
NYU Trip to Giverny

My first trip of the term was to Giverny, France, the hometown of famous French impressionist painter, Claude Monet. We departed from our residence hall as a group early morning and took a bus to Giverny. We toured the small village as well as the Maison et Jardins de Claude Monet, where we were able to enter his home, workspace, and the gardens he painted.

Image of painting
"The Japanese Bridge Giverny" by Claude Monet on display in Musée des impressionnismes de Giverny
Me in the Jardins du Musée des Impressionnismes
Me in the Jardins du Musée des Impressionnismes
Field of poppy flowers
Poppy field in the Jardins du Musée des Impressionnismes
Street pictured lined with trees and a pink building
Rue Claude Monet in the village of Giverny
pink flowers in garden
Flowers in Monet's garden
Pink flowers in garden
Flowers in Monet's garden
Garden with arches of flowers
Garden display in Monet's garden
Display of flowers in garden
Garden display in Monet's garden
Inside of room, walls lined with paintings by Monet.
Inside Monet's House
View of garden from a window
View outside a window in Monet's house.
NYU Trip to Versailles

My personal favorite trip was to the Fountain Shows and Musical Gardens in Versailles, France. We didn’t travel as a group for this trip but Versailles was easily accessible via train. The show was during sundown, so I arrived a few hours earlier to visit the Château de Versailles and see the gardens before dark. I enjoyed lunch with a new friend in the city area outside the palace and returned for quite literally one of the most spectacular sights I’ve ever seen. Check out the highlights!

Versailles Gardens
Versailles Garden lawn (one of many...)
Painting on ceiling in Versailles
Painting on ceiling in Versailles Palace
Girl in front of Versailles Gates
Me in front of the Versailles Gates
Group photo of NYU Paris trip to Versailles
NYU Paris students at the gardens of Versailles!

My time at NYU Paris was truly a highlight of my NYU experience. One of the reasons I chose NYU was because of the opportunities it provided to study away. I can’t wait to go back!

Michelle Alvarado (she/her) is a rising sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Global Public Health with a concentration in Biology and minoring in Social Entrepreneurship. Originally from New Jersey, Michelle came to NYU as a first generation college student aspiring to earn her degree in the city that never sleeps. When she isn’t working on campus as an Office Assistant or Admissions Ambassador, Michelle can be found admiring NYC dogs or studying at her favorite coffee shop near campus. She is a member of a Panhellenic sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Hall Council. Michelle is passionate about helping others and hopes that by sharing her journey, she can inspire others to chase their dreams.