Paris Study Abroad Guidebook

Paris maintains a unique position in history as an influential seat of power and continues to be an important contributor to the fields of science, art, cinema, fashion, technology, trade and economics. Flights or train tickets are usually inexpensive within Europe and traveling to neighboring countries such as Italy, England, Spain or Germany is easy. Students enrolled in the 2011 Paris Study Abroad trip have already taken trips to Venice, Brussels, and London! Within the city limits of Paris, there is no shortage of world-famous museums, churches, palaces and cultural landmarks to visit during your study abroad program in France.

The 2011 RMU Study Abroad Program in Paris offers six weeks of coursework and touring in the iconic City of Light. In addition, students are treated to a weekend excursion to Brussels to examine the logistics of the European Union as well as a day trip to the Versailles Gardens. Students enrolled in this program take courses on site at the American Business School of Paris located on Paris' Right Bank in the tenth arrondissement. In addition, students take BUS 356, an RMU internship which examines the culture of Paris, the politics and commerce of modern Europe, and inspires students to make landmark discoveries while studying in Paris.

Eliseo DeJesus says: "I am hoping to have a great time doing a lot of things in Paris. I hope to bond with the RMU students and make new friends abroad. Since I have a decent experience with the interdependent culture of Japan, I want to experience or gain an understanding of life (and business) from a European perspective. Taking pictures is a must. Maintaining excellent grades in the courses I will be taking will be a challenge, but I believe I can manage. I also hope to travel to some other countries, possibly the UK, Italy, and/or Spain. While my personality better fits the interdependent mind-set, I found the options RMU presented its students to study abroad as an opportunity to step out of the familiar and comfortable and try something new!"

Lindsey Bachler says: "I am now a junior at Robert Morris University, I have a current 4.0 GPA and I am so proud to say that I will soon be an alumni of the school. I am even prouder to say that I will soon be attending RMU in collaboration with ABS in Paris. My goal is to explore and see as much as I can while outside of the United States. Mr. Wozek made a comment about finding our 'spot', the place that takes us back every time we think about Paris. I hope to have multiple places that take me back. I want to be able to tell my children about my adventures in Europe, I want to integrate myself in every aspect of European life. My goals are to be as open and willing as I can be, while taking in every piece of information there is to offer. I can not wait to eat a baguette and ride the metro, I can not wait to get a little lost and find my way back, and I can not wait to become a more educated and ultimately a better person from this experience."

Maria Ramirez says: "I'm sure that Paris will be an unmatched experience. I can witness firsthand the splendor and beauty that inspired two of my favorite artists, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. In addition, perhaps I will be able to better understand the sentiment in Edith Piaf's voice, also one of my favorite singers. But most importantly, I can't wait to see how Paris will inspire me. Moreover, I'm super excited to learn more about European behavior and sustainability. I want to meet more people and see how all this insight can be applied in my future career in business management."

1) Remember the "Cinderella Rule": Nothing good happens after midnight. Foreigners who get into trouble while out after midnight might get less sympathy from the authorities than they would expect at home.

2) Go out in groups--especially at night--never alone.

3) Make sure that someone in the group has a mobile phone, emergency phone numbers, and a map.

4) When going out, women especially should use the "buddy system" and never leave their buddies alone. Unfortunately, women traveling alone in parts of Europe might be perceived as inviting male attention that is, in fact, unwanted.

5) If drinking in public, one should order for oneself and never leave drinks out of one's sight. Drugging foreigners' drinks in clubs is one method used by thieves--and worse--to lower their victims' defenses. Better yet, never drink enough to lose control of a situation. Foreigners are vulnerable from the onset; drinking too much makes them more so.

6) Watch out for pickpockets--even children--in public places or on public transportation. A small child might distract a target by holding up a cardboard sign, a magazine, or a newspaper while another child picks the victim's pockets. Often, a mother carrying a baby will stay off to one side, waiting to collect the older children's "haul." One should never let a woman carrying a baby get too close; a thief might feign handing over--or even dropping--a baby to distract a target while child pickpockets do their work.

7) Avoid potentially controversial topics--US foreign policy, for example--in conversations with locals.

8) Try not to draw unwanted attention by broadcasting "foreignness" through words and actions in public situations. Try to be inconspicuous.

Nicole Koskovich says: "My life experiences are limited but larger than some others I know of. In high school I was in color guard in the best marching band in Missouri, which involved a lot of traveling around the country. In my freshman year I went to New York City to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. This was my first travel experience without my parents and I had the freedom to do what I wanted without really asking anyone for permission. My sophomore year involved local traveling and the farthest we went was Indianapolis. Over the summer between my sophomore and junior year I had knee surgery, but still went to some of the trips that were local. In October of my senior year I went to Mexico for my sister's wedding, this was in Cozumel right outside of Cancun. Also during my senior year, the band was invited to the Rose Parade for New Years 2009 and roughly two weeks after we went to the Inaugural Parade for Obama. Both of these trips with the band were amazing. I learned how to travel without guide books. Starting in my eighth grade year I started taking French classes that I took until the end of my junior year. I have retained some of what I learned through those years but not much. I am hoping that it comes back when I go abroad. I have started looking over simple phrases but nothing really intense.

While in France I would like to experience a lot of historical places, learn more about the city, expand my blog writing, and learn more about editing. I have loved history since I was little with the ancient Egyptians and then in high school I took AP European History and loved it! All the drama with the kings and nobles was my favorite part. I can't wait for the classes and learning even more about the history in the city. I started to blog when I first moved to Chicago and got out of habit of writing quickly because I am quite boring. I hope to gain readers and to make it personal and educational without being too boring. My blog is http://www.nicoleinparisfrance.blogspot.com which can be accessed through the RMu Paris Guidebook right here! When Mr. Wozek mentioned about students helping with the editing process I got excited. I love to write and I am only recently beginning to edit for the newspaper. I have a list of things I want to do in my life and one of them might be to work at a food magazine or travel magazine."

Now that you have made the decision to study abroad, you have a bigger decision to make: what to pack! More often than not, the weather forecast dictates what we wear but it's impossible to have a six-week forecast. Packing for a trip is always full of doubts and it would be easier if we could wrap a zipper around our closet and take everything with us; especially because Paris's weather is just as volatile as Chicago's. If you pack smartly you can be prepared for such changes. But he first two things that need to go in your suitcase are 1) an umbrella and 2) a trench coat. In Paris, June is a very "Spring-like" month and days can be very cloudy, chilly and windy.

There's also something else that you should be aware of before packing. In Paris the day after the Summer Solstice, almost every store has a huge annual sale. If you are planning on taking advantage of that, perhaps this article will not be very helpful. I prefer to squander on food, so I brought seven pairs of jeans and two pairs of dress pants.

I'm not the most fashionable person, but jeans are so easy to work with. You can roll them up, you can dress them up with a blazer and chunky necklace, or tone them down with a stylish pair of flats. Jeans can take up a lot of space in a suitcase and they are very heavy. We are only allowed to check-in one suitcase that weights 50 pounds or less. So I reasoned that all my jeans would have to go on the carry-on that freed up a lot of space in my "regular" suitcase. I rolled all of my jeans and dress-up pants to make them fit in the smaller suitcase. I even managed to fit five pashmina scarves and fleece blanket!

In my regular suitcase I packed blouses, shoes, a sweater, a dress, a skirt, a light jacket, a towel, and my toiletries (I left room to pack souvenirs on the way back). On the subject of toiletries, I had a difficult time deciding whether to pack travel size or regular size items. I didn't know if I would be able to find the same products that I use in France. I opted for a combination of both, plus extra empty travel size bottles for weekend trips. In case you don't want to carry all that extra weight, in France they do sell the brands we are used to. But consider that prices are a little higher.

I recommend you bring two pairs of pajamas in case you can't fit laundry into your schedule on any given day. On that note, a load of clothes will cost you about 7 Euro to wash a dry. There are two washers and one dryer in the building. If those are occupied, as is most of the case, there is a Laundromat just around the corner of the building.

Other important items that you may find useful to pack are an external hard-drive to store all your pictures. In the duration of this trip, I have taken pictures everyday and my computer is running out of space to store them. I also brought an extra camera (that my brother let me borrow), just in case I lose one. Since I sync all my pictures the same day, I don't need an extra memory card. Of course, also follow Dr. Sgaralta's detailed check-list before departing. As a last suggestion, I'd like to emphasize the importance of comfortable shoes, bring at least two pairs.

Donna Palafox says: "Paris is something I had to adjust to, but once I started to explore and went out to see what it really is all about , I fell in love with it. Paris has many different landmarks that have caught my attention but one that has stood out the most thus far is Sacre Coeur!

Being inside that church just made me want to cry. It was something so beautiful and I was grateful to have the opportunity to have had the chance to see this church on a hill that overlooks the entire city of Paris. The fact that I was able to see the city light up below as the sun was going down from this spot was something priceless and unforgettable."

The church is located at the top of Butte Montemarte (you can take a funicular ride up with a Metro ticket). Address: 5 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre 75018 Paris 01 53 41 89 00
Métro : Anvers

Nicole Koskovich says: "Stumbling on to the Railings of Pont Des Arts was the highlight of my journey to Notre Dame. I wasn't sure on what it was, but I knew it was beautiful. The railings are filled with padlocks with names of couples and ribbons symbolizing love. The first one I touched was engraved with two names and the date of their honeymoon in Paris. In love or single, this is an inspiration for love and how powerful it really is. The city of love visualized. See these before they are gone. People were shocked when one night in May the city took down a whole railing of locks. This is unlike anything I have seen on in the States."

Angela Mahoney says: "As you walk up the stairs from the Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre Metro stop and see the outside building facade of the Musee du Louvre, nothing can prepare you for what's in store. On the outside you may see tents with various exhibits and local huslters like the "bubble man" who is just standing there creating gigantic bubbles with his bubble-making contraption that mesmerizes you regardless of what age you are. A walk across the street through the tunnel-like entrance towards the museum, you see what looks like a glass pyramid and upon your entrance into the plaza it's as though you have stepped inside of a portrait that you may have seen in your history books: a dreamy appearance of the Musee du Louvre with the wind blowing a welcomed cool mist of water from the fountain and people standing in a line that is about a mile long but moves swiftly to gain entrance to the museum on its free day, the first Sunday of every month. Upon gaining entrance to the museum you will find an information pamphlet and map in every language available. As you find your way through the halls of historic art you will be amazed at the preservation of the original pieces. My personal favorite is Leonardo da Vinci and the amazing colors that seemed to pop right off of the canvas in a 3D fashion. The historic sculptures that make their home in the halls will evoke questions and wonder about the artists' muse and who they were. The museum is a destination location so you purposely go there, but your breath is unexpectedly taken away at the sight of it in all of its grandeur. We traveled there as a group but once inside the group organically broke apart and everyone went on their own journey through the historic halls that breathe life into the stories of the past forever preserved on canvas, marble or stone. My personal journey was to see the Mona Lisa and to my surprise, it was very small in dimension, but had an audience of observers and admirers that would satisfy the ego of any performing artist."

Location: Palais Royal, Musée du Louvre, 75001 Paris. Metro: Louvre-Rivoli

Alex Savage says: "The Metro is the lifeblood of Paris. People don't say street names or numbers to direct each other. Instead they use Metro stops. Metro stops are said to be within 500 feet of wherever you are in the city and it's the best way to move about Paris. The Metro is also an excellent place to put your best foot forward. Whether you help a mother carry her stroller down the stairs or give an elderly person your seat, you will feel the mask of the 'ugly American' fade. Although I do not know French, I felt connected to people through universal acts of kindness which were always rewarded with a wholehearted, 'Merci.'"

Maria Ramirez says: "Paris is a very tourist-friendly city; the Parisians not so much, well perhaps you have to warm up to them. Outside each metro stop there are maps of the particular area with a "You Are Here" marker. But don't fret if you don't possess great spatial skills, it is quite permissible to walk around with a map in front of your face (I've seen people everywhere do it). And since Paris is the most visited city in the world, expect long queues and cumbersome crowds everywhere you go. Don't be alarmed though, these lines move rather quickly! There is a place however, not too far from one of the most popular landmarks, where you can go to get away from it all while still getting an authentic Parisian ambiance. It is my personal belief that this is where the locals go to get away from the crowd of tourists that invade the city every day. Just steps from the Arc de Triomphe and the almost impossible Champs-Élysées, Western Paris comprises of a lot of fairytale-like parks. There are several ways to access these parks, which include Bois de Boulogne, Jardin d' Acclimatation, Parc de Bagatelle, and Jardin Shakespeare, but I chose to get there on the line 2 métro (the blue line). I got off at the last stop, Porte Dauphine, which is one of the city's two remaining Art Nouveau canopied originals, as stated in Fodor's guide. I knew I wanted I wanted to visit this part of the city because I love going to parks to ease my mind and organize my thoughts, or simply to reflect. Therefore it made so much sense to me to come visit this place. I wasn't disappointed. This ribbon of parks is everything a park should be: scenic, harmonious, relaxing and above all quiet. At first I felt out of place since everyone was jogging, running, power walking or jogging. But as I approached the lake I saw everyone in their Sunday's best enjoying a picnic or rowing in a canoe. During this week, I learned that Parisians love life and enjoy all the pleasures of it. As I observed them in the park, I realized that they are so consumed with pleasure that it's so easy for them to just sit back and coexist with family, friends, nature and strangers-- something not so easily accomplished in the United States.The most famous parks of Paris are absolutely exquisite and breathtaking, but if you need a break from the crowds, grab a bottle of wine, a baguette, cheese and a few of your friends and enjoy a quiet picnic in one of these peaceful parks. If you decide to come alone, bring a book or your stack of postcards. After, you will be so much more relaxed to keep strolling around the City of Lights."

Vivi Valle says: "Le Chalet Savoyard is a traditional French cuisine restaurant with a variety of delicious options to choose from. At first I did not know what to expect and I was scared to try anything new. Thankfully I was not alone and my friend who spoke French was able to take care of the order for all of us. Once we got our meal I was so surprised. Eating tartiflette and raclette, I was left speechless! This was something I had never seen in my life. In the end I was satisfied with what I had tried! In order to feel the full French experience, one has to go to Le Chalet Savoyard!

Restaurant Savoyard Le Chalet Savoyard is located at 58 rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris - Tél.: 01 48 05 13 13.

Lindsey Bachler says: "Two metro stops from the Charles De Galle apartment building is the 'Porte de Pantin' stop, not to be confused with the 'Eglise de Pantin' stop on the orange line. When you walk out of the metro you are greeted with a beautiful fountain and large open space, it is the Parc de la Villette. The park is filled with adults and children playfully making their way around the large area of open space. The grass area that lays just to the right of the fountain delivers a great space for picnics and the trees help to add some shade to the day. There is a small river that separates the park into two halves. The true gift of this park is that you do not have to have a plan to go, you go to walk and talk and relax. There is no meeting time, no deadline and no one to impress, it is peaceful. In such a busy city with so many beautiful things to see there is a sort of harmony that comes with the Parc de la Villette. The huge area of space is home to museums and playgrounds. In random quarters of the park are groups of entertainers singing and playing music, in another is a book store. It has a calming effect, we did not talk much we just went, and that seemed to be the beauty of it. Walking around taking everything in made us feel like we belonged, we were not the tourists for that hour we were part of the Parisians Sunday routine. All of this is about a five minute metro ride away from our apartment, what a great way to spend a lazy day!"

Eliseo DeJesus says: "For those who have never been abroad before, McDonald's always tastes different in every single different country and France is no exception. McDonald's in Paris has been delicious! Portion sizes are a tad smaller than their American counterparts, but they make up for it in taste. You also don't get that sick, heartburn feeling after eating a meal like you (or at least I do) in America. The burgers are not as greasy or salty, nor are the fries. Coke and other soft drinks are also not as carbonated or as sweet. Burgers are also called other things (for example a 'Quarter Pounder' is called a 'Royal Deluxe'). In addition, there is a special kind of burger they don't have back in America--here in Paris it called the 'Royal Bacon' (bun, burger pattie, cheese, and sautéed bacon). While it's not a high priority for many travelers in Paris, going to McDonald's, at least once, is a must!"

Chris Schroeder says: "One day I was exploring Paris on my own when I stumbled upon a unique, quiet area with some great views of the Seine River. Trocadero is a very cool area located in the western part of Paris right across the river from the Eiffel Tower. It used to be a Palace that now houses multiple museums, one being the French Naval Museum. It is situated on a hill overlooking the Seine River. While the museums are a great reason to get over to the west side of Paris, what I found to be truly great about this area was the view. The gardens of the Palais de Chaillot open up directly to the Eiffel Tower. I think it is the best view of the Eiffel Tower you are going to get in Paris and with the added benefit of having less foot traffic than some other areas. There are two Metro lines that bring you right in front of the Palais de Chaillot, lines 8 and 9. It is a great place to go if you are trying to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night! There are stands making crepes nearby (make sure to find the one that makes them to order--not premade!). Eating a crepe with Nutella while watching the Eiffel Tower light show is an amazing experience. The light show occurs every night on the top of each hour. This was one of the greatest moments I have experienced while here in Paris and it is all thanks to the great views offered at Trocadero."

Mayra Nava says: "One Paris highlight for me is the hotel where I spent my birthday on June 12th. It was the Hotel Concorde LaFayette. This is one of the most expensive hotels in all of Paris--but what a treat! You can ride the elevator all the way to the top floor and sit in a calm, elegant environment and have some pricey but truly delicious drinks. House speciality drinks run around 22 Euros, but you can sit there as long as you want and watch the Eiffel Tower as it lights up. Everyone should witness the breathtaking view from this fabulous, exclusive Paris hotel!"

Address: 3, Place du Général Koeunig 75017 Paris
Hotel Concorde LaFayette is located close to the Champs-Elysées, between the La Défense business district and the Triangle d'Or shopping area.

Nicole Koskovich says: "It's all a balancing act: going to school and exploring the city and surrounding countries. There are many aspects that go into making the most of the study abroad experience. One is making sure that you get to classes on time. The classes are a great opportunity to meet new people from all over and to learn from a professor that could very well be your inspiration for your career. The students you are going to classes with will be the best resource to discovering ideas on where to go in your free time. Some of the best places are the small ones that only locals know about: the outlet mall on the outskirts of town, a noodle joint near the school, and the best park in the city are just a few places that you will find out from them.

Planning ahead is the best way to accommodate all the traveling that you want to do. If you want to go to other countries during your time in your program buying tickets before you leave the States would be a good option to save some money, seeing how the train tickets are affordable when you book more than in a month in advance. Train would be the best way to travel; they take you directly into the heart of the city you are going to. Flying is a good option when you are booking on short notice, but can get pricey when it comes to getting to the city you are going to, for example the airport in London is about 45 minutes from the heart of the city. Paying for a taxi can be more expensive than the flight itself. The time in the airplane might be shorter than the train, but in the end, it could be longer given the travel time to and from airports and the heart of the city.

Sightseeing is something that is important when living in a city with so much history and wonderful sites to see. There are many ways to visit all the major and minor sites by simply making a list of where is most important to go to for yourself. What could be important to you might not be important to some of the people in your group. Don't be afraid to go out on your own, during the day, to see what is essential. One idea is to make at least one weekend devoted to being a tourist. Go to many different sites all day long and buy the souvenirs you need for all your friends and family. Pick one attraction and then go with the flow to all the others in the surrounding areas. Touring after class is another option to see the city. Picking one place a day will help knock out the large number of sites in the city, but may limit the amount of time at each one, given that many close earlier than others.

Don't forget about yourself every now and again. Having some personal days will help you to de-stress and make your trip more enjoyable. Plan your trips, but leave some wiggle room so if you don't feel like it then you don't have to go. This will also give you some time to reflect on what you are doing and speak to some people from home. Though talking to them to much will make your homesickness worsen. Personal days will also give you time to work on the school work that is given. It would be a good idea to set aside an hour or so a day to reading your textbooks, some teachers may give you more work than others.

Balancing isn't the same for everyone; so don't feel intimated by your fellow classmates' adventures if they seem to be doing more than yourself. Do what feels right for yourself. If spending more time studying is your thing, that is cool, or if seeing everything is important, go for it, but don't let it get too overwhelming for you because there are so many places to go."

"Wanderer, your footsteps are the road, nothing more; there is no road -- you make the road by walking. Turning to look behind, you see the path
you will never travel again."--Antonio Machado

"If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path."--Joseph Campbell

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast" --Ernest Hemingway

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." - Henry Miller

"To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world." - Freya Stark

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

On the first Sunday of the month, museums are free.

If you want to experience the view from Notre Dame's bell towers without climbing all those steps, Centre Pompidou has the same view easily accessible by escalators (minus the gargoyles of course). P.S.: Go on one of the free day.

If you plan on sending postcards, do it from the Tour Eiffel because you get a special stamp on your postcards.

If you signed up for FRE 320 at ABS, buy the required text for the course, "Paris: Biography of a City" from the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris and get a special stamp on it. It's 16 Euros, but it will add that extra Paris feel to your book.

When buying a crepe, it's best to go to a stand where they are made fresh.

Maria Ramirez says: "A day to myself by myself at Montmartre--well actually not really, my iPod, my iPhone and my camera accompanied me. Ever since I started reading about the different neighborhoods of Paris this is the one that fascinated me the most: the history, the bohemian feel, the unmatched views and the art did it for me!

My journey started by metro, of course but most of it was walking--four hours of walking to be exact! I got off the Blanche metro station (line 2) to be greeted by the fabulous sight of Moulin Rouge--and although it was tempting to stop and gaze at it, my tour started at Cimetière de Montmartre. There was no particular reason to start here but I figured I should take a look after all, a lot of famous people are buried here. The cemetery itself is like a museum with ornate tombs. I could have spent a whole day there looking and photographing each tomb. They were all so different and unique. I love going to the cemetery because it reminded me that life was here before us, life is great while we're here and life will continue after we leave.

I then walked over to the Starbucks (don't judge me, they have free WIFI and it's in front of Moulin Rouge), I sat there to admire the place where the 'can-can' was made famous! I loved looking at all the people taking pictures in front of the place.

Let me say that Montmartre has more to offer than just Moulin Rouge and Sacré Coeur. Its alley-like and narrow streets reminded me Guanajuato in Mexico--but of course with the Parisian ambiance. This is the part of town where many artists lived--most importantly; this is where Cubism was born in Bateau Lavoir. Here's my theory: the artist who started Cubism must have been very dehydrated after climbing the steep hill to get his house, and for a mere moment before passing out all he could see was squares, kind of like kaleidoscope vision. Hmmm, could be. But be warned if you're going to explore this great neighborhood don't leave without a bottle of water. All the great monuments and landmarkd such as the Wall of I Love You, Dalida's statue, cabaret Au Lapin Agile, and Statue of Saint Denis made me glad I didn't take the tourist approach of getting off the Abbesses metro stop and head straight up to Sacré Coeur.

At the top of Sacré Coeur I experienced unmatched views of the city--and I even got my first glance of the Eiffel Tower (leave room to gasp). The church is amazing but most people ignore Église St-Pierre de Montmartre just to the left, one of Paris oldest church. I spent a while in both churches taking pictures and just taking in the view. I walked around Place du Tertre where there are a lot of artists doing portraits (I wish I could sit still long enough to have a portrait of me done).

Soon enough I found myself in Salvador Dalí's museum (don't forget your international student ID for a discount). All I can say is: WOW! It's probably the smallest museum I've been in but it's replete with great works of Dalí. Just the perfect ending to this tour of such an eclectic neighborhood!

I then made my way down through the myriad gift shops of Montmartre and found the Abbesses metro station--but I decided to walk all the way to the Jaurés metro station, not because I didn't have tickets but I just simply wanted to take as much of Paris with me as possible.

As I kept heading west the neighborhood changed drastically--it reminded me of Chicago. Perhaps that's why I like it here so much, it's like Mexico City and Chicago combined (my two favorite cities). And although the neighborhood was mostly populated by men--however, not once did I feel unsafe! *Note to self, this could be a great little walk on long breaks from school!"

Nicole Koskovich says: "One of the great things about Paris is the amazing amount of kebab. It seems like the kebab places can be found on almost any street in Paris! It is a great lunch or dinner option when you're on a budget; it fills your stomach up for hours. At most kebab places, for only five euros, you can get a kebab sandwich and a large serving of fries. Kebab is a rotating roast, which is usually lamb, and then shaved into pita, a tortilla, or any sort of bread. I would suggest taking the advice of the workers on what condiments to put on. The cucumber sauce is my preferred topping, but the chili is great when you need a little spice in your life."

Alex Savage says: "Walking down the streets and you will find surprises all the time. A big tip on Paris is to walk as much as you ride the Metro. You may get to your destination quicker, but my biggest regret was not walking more around Paris. The Latin Quarter is always booming with music and dance. You will find small cobblestone streets blocked by a circle of people watching break-dancers in front of a café. Meandering around the Eiffel Tower you can find a young man with a PA system and a microphone creating beat-box rhythms that are unearthly. So please, walk (don't run) and enjoy yourself in a city that will share itself with you--just take the first step."

Maria Ramirez says: "In Montmarte, off the Abbesses line 12 métro station, there is a small park that is highlighted by a great blue wall; this is known as the 'Wall of I Love You.' (Note that this the other original Art Nouveau métro station by Hector Guimard.) This wall depicts the phrase, 'I love you' in 311 languages. It made me think that love can be expressed in so many ways and no matter how you write it or say it: love is a universal feeling. I think that this wall is very appropriate for such a romantic city, yet it is artistic enough for such an eclectic neighborhood."

Lindsey Bachler says: "I am that typical girl who loves to go shopping whenever I need a little pick-me-up. It's retail therapy for me and it can fix just about any problem I have. Paris is supposed to be the fashion capital of the world and needless to say I was thrilled to shop my little heart out while visiting here. It just so happens that there is a month of sales in Paris called "les soldes." It is typically from about June 22 to July 26--the same time we're here in Paris taking our course through ABS-- and stores mark their items down 30% to 60% off. It is a fabulous event where you can get great deals on nearly everything while getting your shopping fix. Personally I have been shopping five times since I have arrived here in Paris and I have been thrilled every time. Shopping the great Paris sales is a great way to spend a few hours between classes or even on a Sunday when you're free from obligations and off. Who said Paris had to be strictly about sightseeing?"