Submitted by Emily Richardson on the 2020 winter session program in Paris, France and Geneva, Switzerland sponsored by the School of Nursing…
Geneva, Switzerland so far has been amazing. It has been very interesting how they speak French in Geneva. Money has been an interesting feat. If you pay with Euros, then you receive change in Franks. Along with this, everything is so much more expensive than in America. Lunch tends to be almost 30 CHF and coffee is about 7 CHF. However, the citizens are very nice. We went to one little cafe and the owner recited the menu by memory, as it changed each day based on what the cook decided to make. There were two appetizers and two main courses everyday. When we were eating, they ran out of the main course that I asked for so they had a second option, which sounded just as amazing.
After Geneva, the group went to Paris. Paris has been amazing so far. It has been a bit tricky traveling around the city with the transportation strike, but it has made the program more interesting. We are finding ways to travel around besides by bus or the metro. There are many places where you can rent a bike or a motorized scooter to see the city. My favorite part of Paris so far is the food. Every meal is absolutely amazing and is delicious. The French lifestyle is vastly different from the American lifestyle. When you are eating at a restaurant, the waiter/waitress takes their time to get to you and take your menu. You are meant to enjoy your time with the people you are around. It does take more time for your food to be delivered to you, but it is well worth it. Another thing that is different is that you have to ask for the check. In America, you are brought the check when they notice that you are done eating or sometimes after your food arrives. In France, you are not meant to take home leftovers, they expect you to spend the time to finish your whole meal. Although this is different, I very much enjoy taking my time to eat my meals and to spend time with those on my program.
