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By paigebradford

 

Three unusual french dishes I have experimented with while abroad are escargots, frog legs, and quail eggs. I first tried escargots when I visited Paris after I graduated high school, so the taste was not fresh in my mind. After my first week in Reims a few other exchange students and I made plans to go out to dinner at a brasserie near campus. After debating over whether we ought to step out of our comfort zone and try a new dish, we came to the consensus that instead of each of us trying something new, we would all together share a plate of escargots. We were served a dozen snails, just enough for each of us to try three. The texture and taste is similar to clams and oysters, but drenched in a butter garlic sauce. Although escargots are not typically something thing I would order from a restaurant menu, I enjoyed getting to experience the French dish a second time around.

...continue reading "Unusual Eats"

One of the reasons why Reims is a unique city in my eyes is because it lacks the large franchises which typically characterize cities. In Reims one can find a long list of boulangeries (bakeries), patisseries (pastry shops), charcuteries (meat shops), and poissonneries (fish shops) all run by local artisans who are passionate about their business and products. Just from my encounters with local business owners, it seems much of the businesses are family owned and have been passed down for generations. A few of my favorite and most recommended locally owned businesses in the city are Fossier (biscuit making business), and Colpart Bernard (Bakery).

I first learned about biscuit Fossier from my host mother, because it is her family’s company which has been passed down through the generations since 1756. These biscuits are a regional specialty, unique to the city of Reims. The historic tradition of biscuit Fossier was that the biscuits were meant to be had with champagne, for their airy texture was intended to soak up the champagne. The classic Fossier biscuits look like pink dominos lined up in a box coated in white powdered sugar, however today there are numerous different types of biscuits produced and sold by Fossier. There are three factories scattered around the city of Reims where the biscuits are made, and one shop in the center of the city dedicated solely to the sale of the biscuits. Fossier biscuits can also be found in larger food markets like Carrefour and Monoprix.

...continue reading "The best of Reims"

By paigebradford

Translated to English as “liberty, equality, fraternity,” is the national motto of France, and can be spotted on top of government buildings, national monuments, schools, and sometimes on the doors of local artisan stores. However, just recently I found the phrase in a new environment. When protestors took to the streets last week against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to make the country’s staunch labour laws more flexible for employers, there was a day of strikes and demonstrations where people were seen hoisting up banners and signs reading “liberté, égalité, fraternité”. Although the protests in Reims weren’t as tumultuous as the ones in Paris, bus lines stopped running, and a few Sciences Po professors commuting from Paris were unable to make it to class.

What I have learned so far during my time in France, is how this triangle of core values is able to summon emotions of pride and solidarity even in a society growing increasingly diverse both culturally and politically. It reminds people of how they have a right to demand that their voices be heard whether it be in favor or against the establishment. In class discussions and casual conversations with my classmates, I find that the general consensus towards Macrons new labour regulations are positive. Most argue the reforms will bring France’s labour model closer to the German and the UK model, and will help tackle France’s high unemployment rate which is currently around 9.5%. On the other end of the spectrum people believe the reforms will make it easier for businesses to fire employees for arbitrary reasons, and will overall reduce the rights of employees both individually and collectively.

...continue reading "Liberté, égalité, fraternité"

By rsengupta18

I am officially back in the US, and it’s a weird, familiar feeling. With the rush of moving back, seeing old friends, in and starting my new job, I’ve had little time to reflect. But as I sit down and I think about all I’ve done, all I’ve seen, all the people I’ve met, all I’ve learned—I realize how much my perspective has changed thanks to this experience.

I had no idea what to expect going into Europe with the intention to research environmental policy. To be honest all I knew was that they were “good” at it. After months of immersion and research, I now have a sense of pride for all the work European countries have completed in environmentalism. Now, my career path has definitely shifted.

Before coming to Europe I knew European Environmental Policy as the Copenhagen Accord, the Paris Agreement, and a general way of life that viewed climate change has an important universal issue rather than a politicized one. After months of immersion and research, I now understand the complex image of environmental policy in Europe. Rather than being uniform, it is a complex puzzle as each country has different threats, abilities, and commitments.

Most notably, I realized the role of major cities in driving environmental policy, specifically through the C40 (a collaborative group started by the former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone). After learning more about the C40’s strong organizational structure, and high success rates, I’ve realized the impact of mega-cities and big businesses. Before coming to Europe I had the idea that all notable policy came out of the embassy’s, but I now aspire to work in city governance or sustainable business consulting—helping small regions take big strides in sustainability.

...continue reading "Reflecting Back"

By rsengupta18

There are so many things we can learn from French environmental policy. Every day I am inspired by their success and commitment to mitigating climate change. However, it is still a mega-city with many complexities and challenges.

Paris is a leader in the C40; a group of 40 cities committed to combating climate change, regardless of national politics. I find this trend especially interesting. As national politics grow increasingly convoluted, I think this is the most strategic move for the green movement—utilizing influential cities and companies to lead societal trends.

As part of the C40, Paris has vowed to cut yearly emissions by 7 million tons in the next three years. Because of this commitment, I find Paris to be very progressive in their movement to green transit. The key to this success is their high inter-mobility between public transport options. The “Pass Navigo”, an economical 70 euros per month, gives citizens access to the metro, the regional train, the bus, the tram, and, within the next year, the bike-share program. Having all of these systems integrated increases public transit, making these green systems easier than driving. Additionally, Paris has limited the quantity parking spaces in the city to prevent individuals from driving. They also lowered the speed limit on the main highway to decrease emissions. Lastly, they’ve Auto-Lib, an electric car sharing system.

...continue reading "L’Environnement à Paris"

By rsengupta18

 

For February and March, I’ll be exploring environmental conservation efforts in France. My analysis is especially interesting this month as I had the chance to travel throughout the European Union during my spring break. I was able to compare France’s environmental policy with Denmark, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. What I saw throughout the EU was not what I expected.

The EU has a reputation for being the world leader in climate change. Because of this, I assumed every country within the union would be dedicated and innovative to mitigating climate change. But, as with everything in life, it is more complex than it appears. I realized the policy is fragmented, and effects countries in different ways. The most glaring trend I saw was that climate change leadership went hand in hand with a strong economy.

First Stop: Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen was extremely environmentally friendly (note the strong, stable economy). I was impressed by their innovative infrastructure that has come about in reaction to rising sea levels. My favorite was the Inderhavnsbroen, a massive pedestrian bridge connecting two of the islands. The bridge stretches 590 feet, has a stunning view of the water, and a winding, modern design.

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Copenhagen is a beautiful, relatively small, walkable city. This means fewer cars, fewer emissions, and less pollution. I swear, I saw more bicycles than cars when I was there.

What I loved most about Copenhagen, and what I think other cities should learn from them, is their ability to reuse and recycle items in a creative way. For example, at the Street Food Market, old cargo carts are now used as lookout decks where visitors can sit by the fire, sip a drink, and watch the beautiful sunset over the Baltic Sea. Sounds romantic right? I would never have guessed that old cargo carts could be romantic.

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...continue reading "Is the EU really the leader in climate policy?"

By rsengupta18

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What Brought Me Here:

Study Abroad is something that I’ve always seen as a necessity, rather than an option. My allegiance to this experience was evident as early as high school when I narrowed down which colleges to apply to based on which administrations had the most support for study abroad.

After years of fantasizing about this experience, I’ve made it to in Paris, France through the IES Business and International Affairs program. I have always been attracted to French culture and language. I started studying French seriously in Middle School and completed a cultural exchange in Marseille when I was sixteen. My time in Marseille was a magical bildungsroman moment. In those two weeks, I discovered who I wanted to be, and what I wanted to do with my life. I realized I was an adventurous, extroverted spirit, that I reveled in challenge, and that I found fulfillment in culture. Don’t you just love that word? Culture. In summary, I realized there was more out there in the world for me. I knew my time in France wasn’t done. From the moment I left France in 2013, I knew I’d be back in Paris in a few years for study abroad.

...continue reading "Old Dreams, New Adventures"

By Ty Malcolm

When people ask me my favorite period in history, I usually choose the interwar years, around 1920-1930. This time period brought about a radical shift in a wide range of fields - politics, economics, art, music, literature. In European capitals, artists and writers hopped between endless bars and cafés, exchanging ideas and styles they would use to describe and shape their age.

Paris attracted American expats from the "Lost Generation," like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, and Earnest Hemingway. Hemingway would go on to write A Moveable Feast about this period in his life, detailing his interactions with the Well-Knowns and Unknowns of 1920s Paris. Armed with my copy of Ein Fest fürs Leben (the German-language title for  A Moveable Feast), I set out for my second visit to Paris. No longer tied to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, I could shape the trip into whatever I wanted!

While Hemingway and his family would have needed an entire day on the train to reach Vienna, for me flying was the clear choice. My preference for morning flights (and my financial limitations) conspired to leave me with a 6AM flight, arriving in Paris just after 8AM. The neighborhood of my hotel, located just outside the Luxembourg Gardens, was a very popular area during this time period. It was really interesting to walk down streets and boulevards that I had already read about. I visited the Institute of the Arab World, a multi-level museum off the beaten path. The art was beautiful... I just wish I spoke French so I could read the descriptions!

...continue reading "A Historical Walk Through Paris"

By Adaeze

Paris

I can't believe study abroad is coming to an end. In a few days, I'll be off to America. It honestly feels like such a dream! How does time fly so fast?? In honorable of the end of study abroad, I'll tell you a little story about my time here. ...continue reading "On Leaving France and Finding My Peace of Mind"

By Adaeze

Can you believe study abroad is almost over? I don't even want to think about it, especially since the weather has been so nice!

Looking back on my original post, I realize that I still identify myself the same way in terms of race and ethnicity. Now,  it's a little different. When I wrote that post, I also identified myself with who I was friends with, who I was dating, etc. There was always a label that I identified with. Being in Paris has had a way of stripping me of those labels.Paris ...continue reading "Looking Back"