This week I started classes and my cousin Ariane came to visit me. Not all of my classes started this week because it was only the 4th and 5th year students who started their classes so I only had two. Next week I start my full schedule which is exciting. My two classes this week were great. I had an economics class and a strategic brand management class. Both of my professors were super nice and passionate about their subject which always makes me even more interested in learning about it. My strategic brand management professor is my favorite so far though. I am so pumped about that class and I already can't wait to go to the next one.
It is interesting to see how different professors teach and how students learn from different countries.I had my hand up the majority of both classes and spoke frequently while the French students were very quite and reserved. I was talking to my strategic brand management professor after class and she told me that this is typically the norm. I find that to be so funny but I completely understand. Americans are loud and outgoing while the French keep more to themselves. What got me really excited though was that during the strategic brand management class, we talked a lot about IKEA and how they are the leader in brand management. I was basically jumping out of my chair because everything my professor was saying about IKEA, I knew and I wanted to add more. I love that I can work for a company and learn so much from within and then I can see a different point of view when I am in class. What a great experience.
So besides being in class, I was able to visit a lot of places in Paris this week. I didn't have class until Wednesday so on Monday I walked around with a few of my friends to Notre Dame and did some sightseeing around that area. I am waiting to go inside all of the monuments when it gets a little colder because I want to spend as much time outside right now because it is so warm and beautiful.
Monday night we had a meeting at ESCE so afterwards our whole group decided to do a picnic at the Eiffel Tower. We bought a ton a bread and cheese and sat under the Eiffel Tower and ate and talked. My favorite part was when they turned on the sparkling lights on the Eiffel Tower. I honestly don't think I will get sick of seeing the Eiffel Tower. Anytime I see it I get so excited and happy. It honestly is one of the most beautiful things I've seen.
On Tuesday I went with my friend Arta to the Champs Elysees to do some sightseeing and shopping. All of the stores are so beautiful and massive. It isn't as crowded during the week as it is during the weekend so it was really nice. We had to make a pit stop at Laduree though to get macaroons. I just can't help myself when it comes to macaroons. Anytime I see them I want them. We sat on the outside part of the restaurant and I got a coffee with coconut and a nougat cake with cream and raspberries. It was fabulous! The rest of the afternoon we walked around Paris and explored.
Tuesday night a few of my friends decided to go to Sacre Coure to sit on the steps and drink wine. What a breathtaking view. At night you can see all of the lights in Paris and it is simply stunning.
Wednesday I had school and then my cousin came that night. She arrived really late so by the time she got here, it was already 11 so we talked for a little and went to bed. On Thursday I had a class in the morning and then I met up with Ariane. We decided to go to the Luxembourg gardens and sit and tan because it was so nice and warm out. I still can't get over how great the weathers been.
The rest of my time with Ariane was spent sightseeing, eating and going out. We went to the Moulin Rouge, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Museum de Pompidou and I showed her my school. On her final night we went to the cutest French bistro is Montmartre. It was a simple restaurant with only a few items on the menu and there was only one waitress. We split a bottle of rose and I order the foie gras and I had Sole. It was unbelievably good!
Ariane left on Sunday morning sadly but I know that I will see her in a few weeks. I love that we live so close to one another now and so I can just hop on a train whenever I want to see her. Next week starts my first full week of classes and I am excited to go to them all! I also want to do a lot more walking around Paris and finding little coffee shops and restaurants where only locals go. I want to just leave my house and get lost in Paris and explore!
Salut!
Anne
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