My first week in Paris was AMAZAZING. It honestly feels like the city is overflowing with things to do, see, and experience. Everywhere I turn, there’s something new to take in whether it’s a beautiful building, a random street performer, or just the way people carry themselves. There’s so much to learn from the culture here, especially how much the people care about preserving their heritage and prioritizing the health and well-being of their communities. It’s not just about the big museums or historical monuments- though those are definitely impressive it’s the little things too, like how the locals shop for fresh food daily, or how they spend time sitting at cafés and just being present.
Honestly, before coming, I pictured Paris as this super touristy, bougie city filled with luxury shops and famous historical sites. And to be fair, that part is definitely true. There are tons of well-known monuments and fancy stores. But what I didn’t really consider was the in-between the everyday life here. The way people live, the flow of the city, the charm in the small details. Paris has such a wide range of options for everything: from one-of-a-kind food spots and cozy cafés to creative shops and gorgeous old buildings that you could spend literal months visiting without running out.
One moment I’ll never forget is finally seeing La Fontaine des Mers at Place de la Concorde. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child, and seeing it in real life was one of the most satisfying and emotional experiences I’ve had. Pictures never really did it justice. It was so much more beautiful in person, and I actually felt kind of overwhelmed standing in front of it. Like, wow I’m here. And honestly, that’s how Paris feels in general. You can take a thousand pictures, but none of them truly capture what it feels like to be surrounded by so much history, beauty, and energy.
I’ll also never forget the picnic we had in the park right in front of the Eiffel Tower. That was such a golden experience, perfect weather, good food, amazing people. We also went to Disneyland Paris, which was a total blast and something I think everyone should do at least once if they get the chance.
My team is super diverse, and we’ve made it a goal to try foods from all of our different cultures. We’ve had Indian, Russian, and Spanish food so far all within walking distance which is wild. Every lunch or dinner feels like a new experience. Even just navigating the metro or window shopping has been fun. Sure, we couldn’t afford most of the high-end stuff, but seeing the luxury fashion trends up close was still really interesting.
As for our project, we’re in the prototyping stage, and there’s still a lot we need to figure out. The team is kind of split, some want a simpler solution, while others (including me) think a more complex approach is necessary to actually meet the goals. We’re especially stuck on how to make the device expandable and able to open a lid at the same time. It’s tough finding middle ground, but we’re working on it.
I’ve also realized I need to speak up more. Usually, I keep my ideas quiet because I don’t feel like they’re taken seriously, but for the sake of the project, I know I have to be more confident and assertive with my thoughts.
If I had any advice for next year’s group, it would be this: you don’t have to be wealthy, super well-traveled, or crazy independent to enjoy and learn from this experience. I’m not any of those things, but I’ve already grown so much just by being in a place so different from what I’m used to. If you’re thinking about doing it go. You won’t regret it.