Paris. This elegant city is a melting pot of cultural activities. Hamilton in France is a good academic program because it is aware of the cultural and educational potential of a city as inviting for cultural exploration as is Paris. I live with a lovely French family in the 12th arrondissement, walking distance to the Opera Bastille and the Lyon Train Station. I am taking classes at two French universities (Universite Sorbonne Nouvelle and Universite Paris Diderot), as well as two classes at Reid Hall (where Hamilton’s office is located). It takes me between 15 and 30 minutes to go to class from where I live.
It did feel a bit strange at first that class is not walking distance from my residence as opposed to my last two years at Hamilton, but I am establishing a level of independence that is unique to going to school in a city. I am exploring the city on my own and shaping my own experience in a foreign country by myself. The smallest choices such as where I have lunch, or go for a crepe, or what museum I visit are the details that, over time, basically inform my knowledge of the city and teach me more about my preferences.
Transportation in Paris is most convenient. The metro and bus are both comfortable and fast enough. They both go everywhere in Paris and are so well branched-out that I do not have to walk more than 15 minutes from the bus or metro stop to reach any destination. Luckily, the program helps students obtain transportation cards that can be used for both metro and bus throughout the year or the semester of their stay in Paris.
Film and theatre are flourishing in Paris. There are countless cinemas and theatres in the city. There is a beautiful cultural diversity of films and an awareness to both show features films and documentary films. As a country that embraces cultural education, France offers a discount on all film and theatre events for students. I felt so relieved (and so special) when a play I wanted to see only cost me 10 euros instead of 44 because of the reduced student fare!
This advantage makes the exploration of cultural spectacles quite inviting. In Paris, one can see plays in different languages other than French, which means an exposure to cultures other than French culture. Hamilton, being aware of the importance of experiencing the rich cultural events in Paris, offers students a reimbursement of 65 euros per semester.
Hamilton in France is a wonderful program. I never would have had the chance to experience Paris in such an informed yet explorative manner if it had not been for the Hamilton in France. After only seven weeks into the program, to me, it feels like an unforgettable episode of my college education and of the endless journey of learning that is my life.
