Living in Paris! 

I have always wanted to live in a big city. Living alone? Even better! Through CEA CAPA’s housing, I got to have a studio all to myself. I found out what my housing was going to be shortly before leaving, and I was so happy with what I got. I lived in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. It was without a doubt the best experience I have ever had. 

My Housing 

I absolutely loved my housing, as I lived in a single studio on the third floor. There was a gate around the front courtyard, and I had a key fob to get into it and through the front door. There were also two elevators, so it was very nice to not have to go up and down a flight of stairs every time. In the basement there was the laundry room for the whole building. A big perk was that I was provided bedding and towels, and every week I had the opportunity to exchange them for a new set. However, my favorite part of my studio was the layout. I had an entryway that separated the bathroom from the bedroom and kitchenette, and that made it feel much more like a studio than a dorm room. 

This is my kitchenette, which I decorated early on with magnets and a drawing I bought from the famous Bouquinistes of Paris. 

The Neighborhood 

The 20th arrondissement is on the east side of the city right next to the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery. It is surrounded by other homes, stores, and bakeries/restaurants. Everyone moved in on the same day, and we had a tour of the neighborhood. They gave us tips on the area. One of which was that the bakery down the street had great bread. The first time I ate a “baguette tradition” from there I knew it was true. It is still the most delicious bread I have ever eaten.  

On the savory side, across the street there was a Chinese and Thai restaurant. They were open until 2:00 am, making it a great late-night spot. I got take-out from them so frequently that the man working there knew my order when I walked in. Overall, the neighborhood has a very homey feel to it. Since it is one of the arrondissements farther from the city center, I was removed from the noise and chaos. Yet still only a metro ride away from it all. 

It was a little hard to see the sky from my window, but one evening the sunset had a beautiful purplish hue to it and I had to take a picture. 

The Benefit of Traveling 

Truly one of the best things about living in a studio alone was the traveling. I could come and go as I pleased without worrying about disturbing another person/people. Besides for this semester, I have lived with roommates my entire time in college. The freedom to not have to plan around someone else made my experience that much more amazing. I am a very independent person, and I certainly did not take this for granted. Having the privilege of living alone in Paris and traveling solo around Western Europe at my age is something I am so incredibly grateful for.

Living Near Friends 

Even though I lived alone, making friends was not hard. Most of us were split between two buildings about 15 minutes away from each other. I had friends on the fourth and fifth floors, and also pretty frequently ran into other CEA CAPA people in the elevator, the corridor, the laundry room, and coming in/out of our building. Two of my friends lived by the Nation metro station. They were in an apartment which made it an ideal place to hang out when we were all together. Then afterwards the three of us living in the 20th could head back together. Though I will say, if you are a more social person, or wary of being on your own, living with someone else could be a better option. 

This is from my last day living in my CEA CAPA housing, taken from my friend’s room of his view of across the street. 

Keeping in Touch 

I personally cannot speak on feeling lonely or homesick, as those were not things I experienced while abroad. However, given the time that we live in, communication with family and friends is so easy. Every week, usually on Sunday, my mom and I would talk on the phone. Even with the time difference, finding time to chat was not hard at all. With my friends, I would just text them and even got the chance to meet up with one who was studying abroad at the same time in Florence. 

My flight back from Florence was delayed for a few hours, but it was absolutely worth it because I got to see an amazing view of Paris lit up. 

Exceeding My Expectations 

I have always wanted to live in New York City, but every time I went there, I felt out of place and not completely comfortable. Walking out of Penn Station, right by the bustling Times Square, and then having to navigate through the streets and subway is a lot when you are not used to it. Paris is also a metropolis with a fast-paced lifestyle, but when I was actually living there and immersed in it all, it was rarely, if ever, overwhelming. 

While abroad, I adored every single place that I visited, but as the weeks went on and I traveled to more countries, whenever I was in a new city I felt my love for Paris deepen even more. Even other big cities like Rome and London did not compare in my eyes to the beauty that is Paris, and I was always excited to go back. Upon returning to the huge, lively city from other countries, I started getting a really happy and beaming feeling in my chest (as cheesy as that sounds). It indicated to me that, yeah, I adore everything about this place so much and that I get to be here right now. Then, my first time going to New York City after being abroad, I had that same happy feeling and did not feel any unease at being there. Now I know that I did not just play them up in my mind, but that I truly do love both Paris and New York City. 

This is me on my last full day in Paris around sunrise by a kind stranger, outside one of my favorite places in the city. 

Salut and Bon Voyage!  

I had the best four months of my life living in Paris and traveling around Europe. I got to experience living, traveling, and exploring a different country and culture. Being able to do this in my early 20s, with the freedom and independence I was granted, is something I will always remember. I am extremely grateful I had the opportunity to study abroad, and I cannot wait to go back!