Submitted by Christina Santiago on the 2017 winter session program in Paris, France sponsored by the Fashion & Apparel Studies…
It’s strange to think that I can consider a city almost 4,000 miles away from my house back in New Jersey my new home. I have been in Paris for just over a week and I already can see myself here for dozens more. The city is the perfect combination of fast pace metros and slow, easy going afternoons spent at cafes. I have already conjured up my own daily routine while still doing and discovering something new every single minute. Everyday I go to a new café to see how it compares to others. What I have noticed about the cafes in Paris is that they are everywhere and always have business. Even if it is cold, there are people sitting in the outside area enjoying an espresso and people watching with their spouse. The service is much different than in the United States. The servers do not come by to check up on you and it is not uncomfortable or uncommon to sit in a café for over two hours just mingling with friends. I love this aspect of dining because back in New Jersey, I always sit after my meal to talk to my friends, but begin to feel uneasy when my waiter seems a bit pushy for me to leave. On top of that, the art and history behind this city seems nearly endless and seeing how passionate the people are about it is beyond inspirational. I have met new people, experienced things I have only ever dreamed of and I have become comfortable in a short amount of time. With the other girls in my program, I have already been to a handful of museums including Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre. These visits moved me not only because of how intricate the pieces are, but also the stories behind them. Furthermore, we went to the Opera to see a show that was much more modern than I would have imagined. The style of dance was, to my surprise, jerky, instead of the fluid movements I pictured. Overall, Paris has been full of surprises and I cannot wait to continue to be surprised and find new things to do and places to go.
Not only have I had the wonderful opportunity to explore Paris, but my program also spent a day in Antwerp, Belgium. This city is by far one of the favorite cities that I have ever visited. The atmosphere was so warm and welcoming that it was almost impossible for me to leave. Every store I entered, the people engaged in lengthy conversations with me wondering how my stay was and suggesting places for me to go. In one store I entered, the sales associate not only marked my map with the location he thought I would like, he offered to step out of the store while I used the restroom if it made me more comfortable. Not only were the people of Antwerp amazing, but so was the architecture. It is completely different from that of Paris. All the buildings are very linear and used marble in the design. There were shops in every direction and all the roads were cobblestone. People there seem to be less self-conscious of what others thought and took risks in their clothing by incorporating color. It is difficult to put into words the overwhelming feeling of joy the city gives off, but I can make a promise to myself that that was not my last time visiting Antwerp.