We'll always have Paris: Reflections on our journey these past two weeks

Walking the streets of Paris, my senses are on fire. J'écoute. Je sens. Je touche. The metro screeching to a halt. The sent of tabasco invading my nose. The harsh wind against my skin. Walking the streets of Paris, I tend to look forward, to shift my body toward my friends, and to march with bravado. La nuit n’est pas fatiguée. C’est seulement moi qui veut rêver. Walking the streets of Paris, the Seine goes dark as the twinkling lights of Paris take the glow of the stars, which can not be seen in the cloudy sky. Walking the streets of Paris, I feel at peace within this rushing city. 

Throughout my stay in Paris, one of my favorite activities was walking with my correspondant and friends at night. It was beautiful to see another side of the city. I saw the intimacy in the small interactions of Parisians and the buildings. I know I will remembers these moments as I return back home, and I am grateful for Clara and her friends in taking the time to show me. -Mimi

The Victor Duruy Students with their Poly correspondants in front of the school

J’ai passé un moment incroyable en France pendant la dernière deux semaines. J’étais très ravie de pouvoir Mathilde encore parce que je croyais que je ne la reverrais pas encore. En outre, grâce à ce voyage, j’ai eu l’opportunité de rencontrer les autres étudiants de Poly qui sont dans les classes plus jeunes que moi. J’ai fait les souvenirs que je ne vais pas oublier, et je suis heureuse d’avoir cette opportunité incroyable! - Hannah

Dans la dernière deux semaines, j’ai eu une experience incroyable, grâce à mes deux familles d’échange et aux activités de groupe. Je n’avais jamais visité le Nord du France déjà, et apprécié vraiment les expériences la, à la fois avec ma famille d’échange et aussi pendant notre tour en bus. J’ai aussi passé un bon temps à Paris, a visité beaucoup des monuments et aller des places différents avec ma famille d’échange. Merci à mes deux familles de me recevoir!! - Coco

Exploring Sacré Coeur

Ce voyage a eu vraiment bien. J’ai adoré ma famille dans le nord et á Paris. Je veux dire que j’ai été beaucoup amusé. J’ai adoré tout le chose. -Warren

One last "wistiti" at the Conciérgerie.

J’ai aimé rester avec la famille dans le Nord. J’ai essayé les nouriturres different et j’ai vu les villes Marquise et Calais. Je suis reconnaissante de parler Français avec les etudiants et la famille. -Ani

These past two weeks have been such a unique experience, filled with visiting incredible locations and historical sites, as well as being able to create connections with our host families and experience the different lifestyles here. A few highlights from my experience have been visiting Mont Saint-Michel, where we were able to tour the ancient Abbey, and walk around the island during our free time. The second was the homestay in Pas-de-Calais, where I was able to learn and explore this region that I’ve never visited before, as well as visit and teach at the Middle and Lower school, which I loved. I had such a fun time going throughout the north on our bus during the middle two days, as it is a region that is very different from anything in the United States. Ending our trip in Paris, I had a great, but tiring, time touring the whole city both with our group and with our hosts! Overall, this trip has introduced me to so many new experiences that I will hold with me for the rest of my life. - Coco

From this trip, I would definitely say that my favorite and most valuable aspect of this trip were the home stays and meeting everyone. In the north of France, I found that the lifestyle was really different from LA, and there was a sense of a closer knit community. From pillow fights to Just Dance battles, I felt really integrated into the family and formed my own relationship with each person. In Paris, although my feet, ankles, and legs hurt more than they ever have before, I did enjoy walking around and using the metro. I was able to see everything and when I slowed down a little, I was able to appreciate everything. This trip was a great cultural experience and really eye opening in a number of different ways.- Melody

J’ai visité beaucoup de sites avec la famille de mes correspondants et ma classe. Je suis allée à Prison Island avec ma famille dans le nord et ce très amusant parce qu' Il n’y a rien dans Les Etats-Unis. Je suis aussi allée à Versailles avec ma famille parisienne.  Mon Français était mauvais au début de ce voyage les expériences amusantes avec mes correspondants m’ont vraiment aidé à mieux comprendre le français. -Cat

Je ne sais pas quand je reviendrai en France, mais je suis reconnaissant de savoir que j'aurai toujours deux maisons ici. Merci et à bientôt!- Melody

This trip has definitely been a memorable one. It is my first time in Europe and everything is different from what I know. The most memorable place that we visited was definitely the Bayeux Cathedral. From the glass planes to the historical importance of the Cathedral. Another very memorable place was the Sainte Chapelle that one held the thorn crown that Jesus wore. The glass planes were so well made and intricate. That may be the most beautiful thing that I have seen. -Warren

Balades parisiennes

 

After a lot of rides in the bus, we arrived in Paris a few days ago. I have been able to adjust a little bit, but it has been great stay so far. I have done a lot of walking especially in with my correspondent. I got to ride the metro a couple of times after getting my pass navigo, and I also got to ride on bikes to get to school. We were a late a few times, but the experience is what mattered. We visited a lot of places by walking which was tiring but it was giving us the real Parisian experience. On Monday we were unable to go to school due to having a person demonstrating right in front of the entrances to the school. They completely blocked it off, so my correspondent and I got to spend most of the day together and we had a great time. One place that we visited that was very powerful to me was the museum or monument we went to that honored the Jewish people who transported to the concentration camps. I found it very beautiful to see that each life was really remembered and honored.  (Nathan)

On Saturday, we made the long trip to get from Brittany to Paris. It was very tiring, but we made some stops on the way and I was excited to finally meet up with my correspondent. These past couple of days, I’ve been getting to live the real Paris experience, which includes tons of walking, taking the metro, and hanging out with some new friends. On Monday, school was closed because of protests that were taking place right in front of the school. That was interesting to see, and we got some free time with our correspondents instead of attending school, so that was fun. Something that stuck with me was the monument that honored the Jewish people who got deported to concentration camps. There were in depth writings about what atrocities occurred at the camps, which were hard to read, but necessary to learn about. I was happy that there was such a beautiful place to honor these people though. -Ani 

  As we reach the tears and goodbyes, I think about my last few days in Paris with longing in my heart as I miss the days I have experienced. I miss walking around Notre Dame. 

Yesterday was quite the day! I started the day at the boulangerie by the school! Breakfast was a ten out of ten with the crepe and such yum fresh squeezed orange juice. I got some strawbs for the walk around Paris. They had that wonderful fresh orange scent. Orange juice is super popular here! We went to the Marais and to the fountain of Saint Michele. Crazy! we went to the house of Victor Hugo: lots of fun wallpaper and plates. During our free time, I had a 10/10 lunch and some shopping time. For lunch I split a salad and pasta with Maja, and then I really craved an affagato so I got the French version of it which as mindblowingly wonderful. The day before yesterday there was a blockage in front of the school, and it really showed the school's culture. (Alexis)

We visited the very beautiful mosque in Paris, and got to try a thé à la mente in its tearoom. After the mosque we got to go to other little landmarks such as a Pantheon and the Odeon theater. We have a plan today to have our own itinerary and visit what places we want which I think is cool. I know we are going to have fun, so I can’t wait. (Nathan)

With the mosque's Rector Chems-eddine Hafiz. His grandchildren lived in Brentwood and he has been to Pasadena many times. Le monde est petit!

At the Salon de Thé at the Mosquée

Aux Arènes de Lutèce -- Roman Amphitheater excavated in the late 19th century

We just went to a gorgeous mosque and now we’re at a Moroccan restaurant - the baklava cigar was very yummy. I love seeing the diversity in culture within Paris. We took the metro to get here which makes me so excited. I wish we had them in LA. When we don’t take the metro we do a lot of walking which has been making my legs sore. (CATIE) 

Yesterday was a fantastic day. First, we visited the Musée D’Orsay, with its beautiful art work and incredible architecture. Next, we visited the neighborhood of St. Germaine de près, with its Romanesque Church, boutiques, and narrow streets. Lastly, we visited the Musèe Rodin, with its luscious garden and the famous Thinker statue. (Nicolas)

My favorite part of this trip was the amazing places I got to explore throughout France that I wouldn’t have found without going on this trip. In particular, I really enjoyed the 2 day trip of traveling throughout France and being able to see amazing sights like Mont Saint Michael. My favorite thing that I saw in Paris was the Musée d’Orsay because I love Impressionist art very much. I was so amazed to see Edgar Degas’ sculpture “Little Dancer of Fourteen Years” as it’s been one of my favorite art pieces since I was very little. I am very much so an art nerd, so I loved having the opportunity to look at so many amazing museums. I also think that the home stays were very valuable as I feel that my French improved greatly because of how much I was practicing it at home! Overall I had an amazing trip and made memories I know I will never forget. - Hannah

Some dramatic poses in front of the Theâtre de l'Odéon!

One of the two Statue of Liberty models in the Jardins de Luxembourg

Beehive school in the Jardins de Luxembourg

Tired on the metro after a day of walking

Obligatory pose in front of The Thinker!

Alexis with Valentin, who came to Poly in 2019 and stayed with her family. He is now in Medical School!