Luke Stuart- École Normale Supérieure

slh21
Thursday 31 October 2019

Following his Insta takeover, Luke Stuart shares his experience so far of working in Paris.

“LIFE IN PARIS: ERASMUS WORK PLACEMENT ABROAD

THE CITY OF LIGHTS. THE CITY OF LOVE. WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL PARIS, A STRIKING BEAUTY OOZES FROM EVERY STREET THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WHILE THE FRENCH CAPITAL HAS SEVERAL SIMILARITIES TO ST ANDREWS, SOME DRAMATIC DIFFERENCES OFFER OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A NEW CULTURE AND A NEW WAY OF LIFE. THIS REFLECTION ON MY FIRST MONTH IN PARIS PROVIDES A PERSONAL INSIGHT INTO MY PLACEMENT ABROAD AT THE CITY’S ÉCOLE NORMALE SUPÉRIEURE.

 

LA VIE TOURISTIQUE

With Paris often hailed as the epicenter of fashion, pictures of models striding down sunny Parisian streets are emblazoned across magazines. And reality does not disappoint. Walking through grand tree-lined boulevards against the backdrop of Haussmann style buildings is like living in a real-life fashion campaign. Dark nights are illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights upon the Eiffel Tower – the true icon of Paris in my opinion. A walk by the Seine is no longer a distant ABBA vision, but a regular Parisian past time especially at dusk as the colours of the setting sun reflect off the river resembling a Monet painting you might see in the Museé d’Orsay.

I have embraced the true delight of simply wandering with no destination in mind, unexpectedly stumbling across hidden gems. In fact, wandering is so popular in Paris the French have a special term for it – a Parisian flâneur. I love being a tourist in my adopted city, with the sights of Parisian glamour and beauty never growing old.

 

THE CULTURE

As I write sitting on the bank of the Seine watching the sun set on a warm October evening, it is easy to see why Parisian life is appealing to so many people. Groups of friends gather to share a beer, a bottle of wine or perhaps even a goûter (snack). Sounds of chatter and laughter fill the air. Stepping away from the Seine and heading into the labyrinth of the city streets, the buzz of metropolitan life does not diminish. This past weekend celebrated the Fête des Vendanges (Grape Harvest Festival) in Montmatre where tourists and locals alike flocked to sample various French vines at the base of the Sacre Coeur. The previous weekend saw the Paris Opera house filled for a night of karaoke in honour of La Nuit Blanche. The endless stream of festivals and events offer so many unique experiences that I will treasure from my year abroad.

Aside from the cultural events held around the city, a key difference I have noticed is the extended lunch break. A two-hour lunch break is completely normal for many Parisians, taking time out of their day to savour every bite. Canteens, known as crous, are particularly popular in Paris where a two course meal costs €3.30. Another culture shock was the metro. Extending to every corner of the city, the Paris metro can be a stressful experience for first-timers. Parisians move with such speed through the stations and trains are packed to capacity and beyond (rush hour journeys are especially intimate). But after a few weeks, a ride on the metro becomes effortless and natural – I’ve even been asked for directions from tourists!

However, despite these differences I have noticed an important parallel between Paris and St Andrews: both places are a melting pot of cultures with a diverse group of inhabitants. This allows for cultural experience to be enhanced even further: for instance, my Chinese work colleagues took me to their favourite Asian restaurant to try ‘hotpot’ for the first time the other night and it was delicious!

Although the change in culture may seem daunting on a study abroad, I encourage you to embrace the differences and make the most of the unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will stay with you forever.

 


THE LANGUAGE

As a chemist, my language skills leave something to be desired. Days of school French seem a distant memory and even so, describing my favourite weekend activities is yet to prove itself useful. Fortunately most people in Paris speak English so I have not felt alienated. But a quote from Nelson Mandala I once read resonated with me: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” This inspired me to take advantage of the free French lessons offered by the university where I am on placement. Speaking, or at least attempting to speak, in French is a way to seem more courteous and friendly to locals. In addition, it is an excellent way to have a fully immersive experience in the new culture.

CLOSING WORDS

My first month in Paris has proved to be far more than I could have ever expected. There is a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that exudes from the streets of the city making Paris feel alive. The pride that Parisians show in their city – in its beauty and its history – has rubbed off on me, making me feel incredibly lucky to live in a city so rich in culture. Audrey Hepburn once said that Paris is always a good idea. And, so far, I have to agree.”

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