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Photo of a bridge in Paris with gold statues on top as the sun sets.

Bonjour again People Places Pines! J'espère que vous allez bien. Over the past winter quarter (my junior winter), I spent 10 weeks in Paris for the Paris Foreign Study Program (FSP). Now that I am back, it's time to reminisce through… you guessed it: by blogging! Today, I'll provide an overview of the courses I took.

If you're a long-time People Places Pines reader, you might know I previously spent my sophomore winter in Toulouse, France, for a French Language Study Abroad (LSA). The FSP and LSA are two separate abroad experience offered by the Department of French—read about the different offerings here. The Paris FSP perfectly complemented my prior experience on the Toulouse LSA.

Alors, here are the three courses I took: 

1. French 29: French Civilization and Art History

This course explored the art and architectural history of Paris, providing a deeper understanding of the city and its monuments. On Mondays, we established a theoretical framework covering Paris's founding, key art schools, and artistic movements.

What made this course special was our Wednesday site visits to the monuments we studied. This hands-on approach made the class incredibly immersive. Walking around Paris with my Parisian friends outside the program, I found myself sharing fun facts about the city they didn't know, which was an incredible feeling.

Facade of an old gothic cathedral with incredibly detailed sculpture work.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, one of our site visits for French 29.

2. French 30: French Literature

Taught by Dartmouth faculty member Professor Tarnowski, this course was engaging from the start. Having stronger language skills this time around, I enjoyed our readings and discussions even more. We began with literary giants, focusing on Notre Dame, before transitioning to contemporary works. The reading selection was excellent, and I appreciated synthesizing my comprehension through reflections and presentations.

3. French 31: Advanced French Language

This course covered advanced linguistic phenomena alongside contemporary topics like inclusive language, French slang, and everyday expressions. A major component was our final essay, a self-guided exploration of a Paris-related topic. I wrote about Parisian thrifting culture, conducting interviews with locals, which deepened my immersion in the city. 

The courses of this Foreugn Study Program were rigorous and integral to my experience. I am beyond grateful to have studied abroad in France again thanks to Dartmouth. Stay tuned for more content on my second Dartmouth abroad program in Paris!

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