Paris Internship Spotlight: Layne Leonard

Meet Layne, a rising senior from Seabrook, Texas, who is majoring in Resource Environmental Studies and pursuing a double honors in Art History as her minor. She sought out an unforgettable summer when she decided to do the study abroad and internship in Paris with CEA. 

The Texas State University student has found that every day in Paris is filled with excitement and so much to do. Skipping out on the opportunity to go to a country where she knew the language, Layne was ready to face the challenges that came with working in an environment where the language was foreign to her. By listening to everything in French and trying her hardest to respond as best as she can, she has worked to integrate herself into the French culture. Living in a homestay also allows Layne to experience Parisian culture by seeing and living it firsthand with her host family.  

Layne interns at Elvia Ingénierie, which is a project engineering firm that services environmental protection and risk management. On a typical day, as part of the Urban Development team, Layne spends her time making maps of different cities. The use of innovative software and state-of-the-art tools is what Layne feels sets her internship apart from other opportunities. She understands that her internship is very hands-on, which is what she wanted. Being comfortable in her work environment is something Layne has been working on -- by making sure she continuously asks questions to allow her to grow better relationships with her co-workers.  

After spending her mornings at her internship, Layne heads to the CEA Study Center to attend her class: Photography in Paris, an active class where students learn inside and outside the classroom. Not only has this course helped Layne to improve her photography skills, but it also has taken her through a photographic journey throughout the city.  

Something that this experience has taught Layne is that although Paris doesn't have all the answers, she has encountered some eye-opening realizations of what she wants for her future. However, for now, she is enjoying some sleepless nights in order to see all that Paris has to offer and take it all in before the end of the summer.  

Kiara Perez is a CEA Alumni and Onsite Ambassador who studied abroad in Paris, France, during the Fall 2017 semester. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona.