Alexandra Garcia

enjoy my journey, through pictures and words, of my freshman year at NYU Paris . . .

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Rome, Italy 

Before the stress and work of the spring semester at NYU Paris, Olivia and I travelled to Rome to experience Italian food, wine, and culture (but also have some Lizzie McGuire movie moments). We ate gelato every day, but walked it off (About 77,000 steps, according to our iPhone Health apps). We circled the Trevi Fountain numerous times and got lost among the quiet, narrow, cobblestone streets, but we always managed to find ourselves laughing over a meal of Margherita pizza, pasta, and red wine. 

While visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum, we were shocked at how the structures have stayed put for so long. It is amazing how well Rome preserves its history and how the city was built around the ruins and forum. 

There is no other place I’ll see tiny cars and vespas bouncing over uneven cobblestone streets. Rome is one-of-a-kind! 

Ciao!

Alex

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Mastering Paris

College life is hard and stressful; adjusting to new professors, coursework, and exams are not easy transitions. On top of those, living in a large, bustling city is an extra adjustment. Even though I live close to New York City and visit frequently, actually living in a city is much different. I’ve learned many things, which follow below:

Cooking: At NYU Paris, there are no meal plans, therefore it our responsibility to cook meals. Before college started, I didn’t even think about meals I can actually cook-I only came perfectly knowing how to make pasta (but the directions are on most boxes, so...). After many unsuccessful attempts at cooking, like making way(yyyy) too much rice that fill 3 Tupperware containers and setting off the fire alarm, I’ve finally found my hidden skill at making delicious meals. Some of which include: mixed vegetables sautéed in coconut and lemongrass sauce (from Marks & Spencer) and salmon and vegetable quinoa.

The Metro: Oh, the metro. Whether it’s the RER B, M6, M1, RER C, or M4,(beaucoup, no?) I always need google maps to find the right metro to take to my desired location. Google maps prediction times of 40 minutes seemed extremely long in the beginning of the year, but now 40 minutes is a breeze. Rush hour is the worst-smushed into the small standing room and pushing people while saying “PARDON” over and over so you make it out the doors that literally stay open for 20 seconds. The metro is a skill you must master. Or you can take the bus-the bus is always a good idea.

Grocery Shopping: I am used to the grocery shopping I’ve always witnessed my mother do: eat all the food in the house until we desperately need to go to Stop & Shop, then make time for a 2 hour shopping trip with millions of coupons and plastic bags. This does not happen in Paris. I’ve learned that Parisians buy maybe 10 or less items at a time at the small marchés, and use their own stylish (but most times unstylish) reusable bags. I spend a lot of time in the grocery store on google translate, trying to translate the labels and actually find foods I came for. I’ve found my cheat though, Marks & Spencer. It’s a British grocery store that has so many delicious foods, and the best part is that every label is in English. I thought I was dreaming when I first found it. 

Even though I am ending my first semester next week, I am still trying to work on perfecting the Parisienne I truly think I am (way) deep down. Hopefully, I’ll succeed next semester. 

Bises,

Alex 

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LONDON

The weekend after fall break, my friends and I flew to London for a weekend of amazing food, views, and tea. My favorite part of the trip was visiting Shakespeare’s Globe, the top photo. Couldn’t forget to take a picture in a phone booth!

-Alex

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BARCELONA

For fall break my friends and I travelled to the colorful city of Barcelona. We ate lots of paella, visited the many Gaudí sites like Park Güell and Sagrada Familia, and drank delicious fruit juices from La Boquería. 

-Alex 

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Need Cool Things to Do in Paris?

I’ve got you covered.

Living in Paris is an awesome experience. Every day, I find new things to explore, whether it’s a new museum, café, or store. Here are my favorite things I have discovered so far in Paris:

Eiffel Tower at Night: Grab a bottle of wine, a baguette, and cheese at a local grocery store and hang out with friends on the Champ de Mars, right in front of the Eiffel Tower. Every hour on the hour at night, the tower will sparkle for five minutes. Seeing it up close is a very cool and magical experience.  

The Pantheon: Only a short five minute walk from campus, I took the trip after classes one day to visit. The inside is just amazing. It is surreal how big this structure really is. Huge paintings cover the walls, and sculptures are lined on the ground throughout the main room. My favorite part was The Crypt where figures like Voltaire, Rousseau, Marie Curie, and Victor Hugo are kept. In Marie Curie’s tomb, a little girl left a note thanking Marie Curie for inspiring her to succeed in school and dream big. It made me smile.

Foundation Louis Vuitton: Definitely visit here both day and night. I went at night, and there are great views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. On the ground floor, visit the hall of mirrors. Yellow light and the mirrors create a really cool illusion and are great for taking artsy pictures. Although the galleries are closed at night, come back during the day to check them out. 

Musée d’Orsay: I loved the art so much here that I bought seven postcards (lol). My favorite artists that are displayed here are: Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas. Other than the art, the museum itself is a very cool structure. Definitely check it out (You also get free student admission)! 

~Alex

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Food in Paris: It’s a New World

I honestly think I need to run a marathon or two to burn off all the calories of food I’ve eaten here so far...seriously. I’ve had my far share of the typical Parisian food, and I know the deal. So without further ado, here are my real thoughts about the typical and not-so-typical food here in Paris:

Escargot- Snails, basically. It’s one of those dishes you just have to try when you're in Paris to say that you’ve eaten snails before, but then don't want to ever think about them again. If you like chewy, slimy, food then it’ll be your favorite thing ever (Hey, don’t be mad, my mom and aunt love it)!

Macaroons- Delicious. Addicting. The best part about Macaroons is that there are so many flavors to choose from. My favorite are Pistachio and Pecan Vanilla from Ladurée. The worst part is that the good macaroons (from Ladurée or Angelina) are pretty pricy. For six macaroons, you pay around eighteen euros, so it is definitely something you treat yourself to after a long week of exams and writing essays. 

Nutella- You can find Nutella in the USA, but in Paris, it is EVERYWHERE. It is so addicting it’s dangerous. I bought myself a jar for my dorm room and catch myself dipping Oreos straight into the jar. Also, Nutella is very delicious on crêpes, but I’ll get into that. Like I said, it’s dangerous.

Crêpes- I could probably write a 10 page paper on crêpes and their deliciousness. Nutella, Nutella banana, Nutella coconut, cinnamon, sugar, cinnamon AND sugar...the possibilities are endless. Last Saturday night, I got a cinnamon, sugar, and coconut crêpe and I was in heaven. The fluffiness and warmness felt like I was shoving my face into a (delicious) pillow. Tip: you may pay a euro or two extra, but the crêpes in the very touristy areas of Paris, like Châtlet, I’ve found to be the best. 

Bread- You haven’t really experienced bread until you’ve tried a baguette. For .95 euros, you can get yourself a massive baguette that will last you a sandwich and a delicious appetizer for cheese. It is just delicious. Also, croissants and pain au chocolat; I eat these both daily and that probably gives you a clue to how good these are. 

Cheese- I’ve always been a big cheese fan. American, cheddar, swiss, I thought there were just a few options. But Paris opened my eyes to a new world of cheese. Bleu cheese, gruyere, brie...I am in cheese heaven here. Yes, I know you can find those cheese in the US, but here it is fresh and SO TASTY. After school, I’ll grab myself a baguette from the boulangerie and slap some bleu cheese on a slice and make it a snack. 

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Weekend in Prague

06/10/2016-09/10/2016

Just a little more than a week ago, my friends and I decided to plan a trip out to Prague for a weekend. Our hostel was only a two minute walk from Old Town Square, an amazing area with the Prašná brána and the Prague astronomical clock. The buildings are so beautifully colored and detailed, you feel like you’re walking through a city in a fairytale. My favorite part of the trip was walking on the Charles Bridge while the sun was starting to set a little and made the water sparkle. Prague is truly a “magical” city! 

Bonne Journée!

Alex

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PARIS FASHION WEEK - Peet Dullaert Yesterday morning, I went to the Peet Dullaert Spring/Summer 2017 show at Atletier Netherlandis on Rue de Lille. It wasn’t a lavish venue with a large runway, but the venue was a room with beautifully architectured ceilings. Many of the looks included frill details and large, round buttons. These designs embodied a youthful feeling. The show was exciting and everyone cheered when Peet Dullaert, the designer, ran down the runway for his applause. Au Revoir, Alex

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PARIS FASHION WEEK: Andrew GN

On a rainy Friday afternoon, I arrived at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris for the Spring/Summer 2017 Andrew GN fashion show. Down the stairs from the lobby, representatives of Andrew GN directed journalists, buyers, photographers, and viewers to their seats by the runway. Huge chandeliers lit up the runway, and after just a few minutes, the music started to play. The first model came out onto the runway wearing a denim dress, accented with white jewels. Much of the Andrew GN Spring/Summer collection consisted of denim, lace, and florals. The designs were truly unique, in that many of the floral pieces were paired with edgy accessories. Also, many pieces that were dark colored lace, were embellished with colorful floral decals. The two different styles: dark, edgy lace and bright, colorful florals were brilliantly combined. Every piece had a perfect balance of edgy and girly. After the finale, Andrew Gn, himself, came out from backstage and applause roared through the crowd. My first Fashion Week show was truly a memorable experience. 

Bonne Journée,

Alex 

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Weekend Trip to Pays Basque 

Friday: We arrived in the late afternoon in Bayonne and explored the town. A beautiful river flows through the town, with quaint and colorful houses lining the river’s edge. We enjoyed playing Pelote, the Basque national sport, and visiting the Basque Museum. After a lovely visit to Bayonne, we travelled down the shore to Biarritz, the famous surfing beach town in Basque Country. From our bus, we had amazing views of the beach, surfers, mountains, and the red-roofed, Spanish style homes. At night, my friends and I explored Biarritz’s beaches and rock bridges. 

Saturday: After a delicious buffet breakfast, NYU Paris headed out to Anglet, and helped clean the beach with the organization: Surfrider. After cleaning the beach, we relaxed on the beach and rocks, and of course swam in the water. After our morning at the beach, we drove to Espelette where we enjoyed lunch at a local pepper farm. Our meal consisted of galettes with prosciutto and cheese, along with homemade pepper marmalade and spice. On our way home, we made a stop at the lighthouse in Biarritz. We took photos and enjoyed the sun setting on the shore and mountains. 

Bonne Journée!

Alex

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Weekend in Paris (Photos)

Notre Dame, Montmartre, Sacre-Couer Basilica, Georges Centre Pompidou

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Weekend In Paris

With no classes on Fridays at NYU Paris, the weekend is a great time to explore the city or even take a weekend trip to London or Amsterdam. This weekend my friends and I decided to explore the city’s famous landmarks and museums. 

On a hazy Thursday afternoon, my friend Olivia and I walked a short five minutes to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral after classes. Neither of us have seen the inside, so we decided it was a good idea to explore the inside. We stood in a long security line, but eventually made it into the huge cathedral. 

In my opinion, the huge, colorful stained-glass windows are the most beautiful part of Notre Dame. In each chapel that lines the perimeter of the cathedral, there is a stained glass window, each with a different image or story. The vaulted ceilings and the architecture of the columns are especially unique. Finally, the prayer candles and chandeliers give the Cathedral an ominous, but sacred feeling.

To celebrate the end of a long week of classes, Olivia and I enjoyed cookie dough gelato and cappuccinos at a local café. 

The next day, Friday, my friends and I visited the Centre Georges Pompidou, a contemporary art museum near Le Marais. The architecture of the museum on the outside is especially fascinating. A long tube sits on the exterior of the museum, and holds an escalator leading to each floor of the museum. As you ascend the escalator, the panoramic views of Paris get increasingly vast and beautiful. My favorite part of the museum is an exhibition called “Beat Generation.” This exhibition holds posters, videos, art, and projections that portray the start of the “hipster” era in the late 40′s and 50′s.

On Saturday, we decided to venture up north of Paris to Montmartre and the Sacre-Couer Basilica. After getting off at the bus stop, we climbed many stairs and hills, passing unique vintage shops and boutiques. At the top of the hill of Montmartre, artists fill the streets, promoting their freshly completed work. Past the art and small cafés, we reached the white, bubble-domed Sacre-Couer Basilica. 

Sacre-Couer Basilica is astoundingly beautiful. On the ceiling, there is a massive mural encompassing the dome. Lining the perimeter of the Basilica, like Notre Dame, chapels full of candle offerings and flowers give the Basilica a peaceful feeling. To end our Saturday, we decided to climb three hundred steps up to the top of the Basilica’s dome, where we had a panoramic view of Paris. Through the haze, we saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and much more. 

Wherever you go in Paris, you are bound to have an experience like no other. 

Ciao!

Alex

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Paris: First Impressions

Coming from the hustle and bustle of New York City, Paris is a strange adjustment (but in the best way, of course). First of all, there are no coffee shops where you can simply grab a to-go cup of coffee and gulp it down before classes in a matter of five minutes like in the states. In order to get your daily coffee fix in Paris, you have to sit down at a café. For Parisians it is customary to spend an entire day at a café and just order one coffee. Although I miss my iced coffee with caramel and cream from Dunkin Donuts at home, I really enjoy spending a little extra time at a café with friends, sipping on a cappuccino after classes.

The most rewarding feeling I’ve had in Paris so far is going to the 8th floor of the NYU Paris building and studying with a panoramic view of the city. I’d never think during my NYU yoga class, I would be doing sun salutation, while gazing at the purple and yellow sun set over Notre Dame. Or, during lunch break grabbing a tomato and mozzarella sandwich with the most delicious baguette on Boulevard St. Germain, and then walking five minutes to enjoy my lunch with friends on the Seine, right under Notre Dame. 

This new city and environment feels strange, but I love the feeling in every way. Trying new foods, meeting new people, sightseeing, weekend château trips, crêpes, baguettes, wine, cheese...I am loving everything about Paris. 

Au Revoir,

Alex

(See recent post for related photos)

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First week in Paris 25/08/16-01/09/16

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Bon Voyage America

If you told me a year ago I would be flying off to Paris to start my freshman year of college in a week, I would not have believed it—I do not think anyone would! When choosing my list of colleges I would apply to last summer, my colleges were only three hours away from home at maximum. Even when I brought up the idea of going to school in California, my mom shut it down saying that California is too far away, yet five months later she agreed to let me leave the continent for college. Sure, I will be in my beloved NYC for the following three years, but spending a year in a country I have never been to and do not know the language is pretty intimidating.

When people ask where I am going to college I say: “NYU… but I am spending my freshman year abroad in Paris” like it was a bad thing. Most of the time I get the reaction: “So you are not going to college?” or “Why do you not like America?”  Of course, I do get some positive reactions, but most of the time I have to explain for a good three minutes the who, what, when, where, and why I am going to be in Paris next year.

When I first received my admissions letter from NYU I was practically peeing my pants. As soon as I saw the CONGRATULATIONS that started off the letter, I burst into tears of joy, hugged my mom, called my friends, and tweeted about my dream acceptance. However, my advice is to always read your college admission letters down to the last word, because of course I did not, and guess what? I read “Your admission is contingent upon you spending your freshman year abroad in PARIS.” WHAT!?! You mean to tell me that I already tweeted about my perfect, amazing acceptance to NYU and now I have to go to PARIS?!?! I am sure other NYU Paris students were ecstatic to find out they had the opportunity to study abroad freshman year, however I was convinced it was the worst thing to ever happen to me. In fact, I cried for two days straight until I had some sense knocked into me.

I am very happy I made the decision to study abroad in Paris my freshman year. What held me back from being excited about my acceptance letter was the fact that many of my classmates believed freshman year study abroad programs were for people who were not good enough to get into the regular campus. I have no idea if this is true or not, but I knew that in my situation, this was a myth. After crying for two days straight about how I did not get into the program I wanted at my dream school (Yes, I realize I should not have been crying then because now I realize, who would not want to spend a whole year studying at their dream school in Paris?), I thought back to my supplemental essay I wrote for why I wanted to go to NYU. I remembered I wrote mostly about NYU’s journalism and fashion opportunities, and many opportunities to study abroad. I realized that NYU admissions was right. Paris is THE perfect city for me to study in.

Sure, I will not have the “typical” or “American” college experience; going to frat parties or football games. However, I realized that is not me, and I have learned that I should not have to change my beliefs and wishes just to fit in with others. I love traveling, new adventures, and I have been dreaming of vacationing in Paris since forever. Now, I get to live there, and I think that is just awesome. I am not trying to brag, but this is for the people who have questioned my college decision, who may not know my full story.

If you are reading this as a potential NYU Paris freshman or any freshman year abroad student, and you are unsure about your college decision, my advice is to take a leap of faith. If your interests perfectly fit the atmosphere of studying abroad, do it. For me, I stopped listening to the people who negatively questioned my decision. Paris is the perfect place for me to mature as a student, and to pursue my passion for writing, fashion, and culture.

I am leaving for Paris in a week, and although I have not done much packing, I am ecstatic to be a Parisian. I am also so excited to gain the freshman 15 from croissants, cheese, and crepes (Okay, I am excited for the food, not so much the potential weight gain). I will miss my family and friends dearly, but I know I will have amazing experiences during my travels. Not only that, but I will have some pretty killer Instagram posts as well.

Au Revoir,

Alex