Filled with a solid mix of exploration and cultural immersion, Orientation Week is now over for our Fall 2023 students.

After familiarizing themselves with Reid Hall, their base for academic endeavors and cultural integration this semester, the students stepped out onto the streets of Paris, beginning their exploration of the city that will be their home for the next few months.

A must-do boat ride along the Seine offered views of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral while lunch at a nearby crêperie allowed the students to savor traditional French cuisine and start building connections.

Guided tours of Montmartre and the Marais gave the students a glimpse into the atmospheres and histories of these iconic and multifaceted Parisian neighborhoods, while visits of the campuses of the Sorbonne, Sorbonne Nouvelle and Paris Cité offered insight into their upcoming academic environments.

Finally, an excursion to the Pays Basque region offered a chance to immerse in the diverse cultural amalgamation of French and Basque influences. Discovering Biarritz, Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and venturing into San Sebastián in Spain, provided a broader understanding of the various regional cultures in the area.

As the semester now properly kicks off, these initial two weeks have laid a solid groundwork for students’ cultural immersion and academic pursuits, fostering a deeper understanding of France and its diverse landscapes.