Going from the projects to the Eiffel Tower is crazy to me. My younger self is still wrapping their head around this defining moment. Here are some things to know when visiting Paris, but first! Let’s talk about how I got there. Studying abroad has always been on my bucket list as a college student. Coming from a background where traveling isn’t frequent and money is a struggle, depicted an unrealistic image of this goal. All I knew was the 5 boroughs of NYC and Oswego, NY. This would become a dream and a memory that will last in my heart forever. Thanks to the many resources, scholarships, and support from different departments at my university, this was able to come to fruition. To those who helped and guided me through this journey, I’m forever grateful.
My process began in mid-November of 2022, as I started looking for opportunities abroad. Mark Curry, my study abroad advisor, met with me during winter break. From there my journey to Europe began. The application process was long and time-consuming; this was something I wanted badly, and nothing was going to get in my way. DIS Abroad was the program I went through. Their mission and goals are dedicated to ensuring students get to visit Europe, ensuring scholars enjoy their time in Scandinavia.
Visiting Paris and Denmark was terrific. If you ever want to visit any of these countries, here are some things to consider: save up a lot of money, both countries are expensive. If you ever visit Copenhagen for more than a day, do you need groceries? Visit Netto. Netto is very affordable and has versatile food items. Visiting Paris, be aware of the smell. Though it does not smell nice, the amazing architecture and memories make up for it. If you plan on visiting the Eiffel Tower, be sure to book your ticket in advance, they sell out so quickly. Also take advantage of the museums, visiting the Louvre was amazing. Though the guards overly protected the Mona Lisa, all the paintings were amazing! If you’re a student and want to visit Scandinavia, check out DIS Abroad. Amazing program dedicated to scholar travels. Europe became my home, while Scandinavia became my classroom.