Now that the iSEED Europe program has come to an end, I’ve had time to look back on what the experience actually was, not just on paper, but in reality. It was challenging, unpredictable, and eye-opening in ways I didn’t expect.
One memory that’s locked in for good: running through a thunderstorm in Paris to catch a boat tour on the Seine River. My phone was dead, I couldn’t see a thing in front of me, and we had to slide along fences and windows just to get to the metro. Later I found out the storm was serious- two people died that night. Looking back, it was wild how dangerous it was, but in the moment we were just doing whatever we had to do to keep moving. Definitely a “did that really happen?” kind of night.
In terms of people who made an impression, Professor Wettergreen stands out. He made a big point about how important it is to stay flexible, especially when you’re in another country where things don’t work the way you’re used to. That stuck with me. Between transit delays, language barriers, and limited resources, nothing ever really went exactly to plan, but that became part of the learning. Adaptability and maturity weren’t just ideas we talked about; they were things we had to practice daily.
When it comes to food, Paris obviously had a lot to offer. One of my favorite eating experiences was trying Tunisian food for the first time. I didn’t even know what I was ordering, but I ended up with a Makloub , and it was seriously good. I also got into a habit of picking up random fresh fruit and juice from the grocery store. Simple stuff like orange juice and plums, but it all tasted fresher somehow. And I was not expecting to be that into butter, but theirs is next level, creamy, rich, almost like a soft cheese.
If someone’s thinking about doing the iSEED program, I’d say go for it, but know that it’s not going to be smooth the whole way through. You’ll be pushed out of your comfort zone. You’ll mess up small things like receipts or directions. But that’s kind of the point. You come out more self-sufficient, whether you meant to or not.
Lastly, my favorite part of being in Paris was just how stunning the architecture was. It felt unreal at times, like walking through a museum that never ends. The Eiffel Tower and Champes Elysee at night was something you really can’t capture on camera. The way it lights up and sparkles makes the whole city feel alive. The Notre-Dame Cathedral, even with the ongoing restoration, still had a commanding presence. The details in the stonework, the height of the ceilings, it’s hard to describe how much you feel it. The Arc de Triomphe was another highlight, even smaller places like Sainte-Chapelle, with its wall-to-wall stained glass, made it feel like every corner of the city had something to say. No picture does it justice, you have to be there, looking up, to really get it.
This program wasn’t polished or perfect, but that’s what made it real. And honestly, that’s what made it worth it.
Us and other random Rice students on the boat the night of the storm