#ipetroyes

Joey Imperial 

Environmental Engineering

Sustainability and Industrial Ecology - UTT, Troyes, France

DISCLAIMER: I thought this had been posted successfully about 4 weeks ago (Mid July), but after coming back to read the my fellow bloggers’ latest posts I noticed that this one had never gone through! Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled program :)

7-22-19

As I became situated in my seat for my flight back to Detroit from Paris, I began the daunting task of trying to process everything that I had experienced in the past two months. It felt like I had lived an entire lifetime, but it had happened in the blink of an eye. I tried to identify outstanding moments from my trip. Each one, despite their extreme differences in geographical location and chronological context, had one very clear element in common: the people.

One of my favorite fishing spots just a few minutes away from home

Although quiet and awfully reserved at our Pre-Departure Orientation in April, the group of Michigan students that went on this trip quickly became a second family for me. Their lovable quirks, constant positive energy, and natural kindness made Troyes feel more like home than any foreign destination that I’ve ever been to. We spent countless hours sharing stories, laughing with each other, and learning more about the world through each others’ lenses. They taught me what it means to be a trustworthy friend, to roll with the punches of studying abroad, to not take myself so seriously, and to ALWAYS choose the decision that would make for the better story. It was truly an honor to spend this program with them, and for that I can only give them my most sincere thanks for being such wonderful people.

In Cagliari I remember laying out on the beach, seconds away from slipping into the most peaceful, sun-warmed nap of my life, when the impact of a soccer ball blasted sand into my face. I sat up in immediate frustration to see who the culprit and found a group of 4 young men in the water, smiles beaming, calling for the ball back and asking us to join them in their game. It was just a simple game of monkey in the middle, but they were having the time of their lives and we just couldn’t resist joining them. They were from Gambia, and there were about 3 or 4 words that each party could comprehend from the other, but we spoke to each other in the universal language of play and enjoyment of each other’s presence. It was a truly blissful moment that reminded me of how keeping a childlike innocence when experiencing the world inspires wonder and pure human connections.

Before I left for Troyes I planned to take an excursion to Chamonix during my time in Europe as a way to slow down and make time for myself after a busy 6 weeks with the program. I certainly achieved “alone time” during my day-long hikes through the beautiful French Alps, but the memories that stuck with me most were the ones that I shared with other people. Meeting and talking with people from around the world on the trails, in the hostel, and in town brought me so much joy, especially in such a naturally beautiful setting. Plus, the majority of people I met were there for the Arc’teryx Alpine Academy, which meant that I was one of the most inexperienced outdoorsmen there. I heard dozens of captivating stories about my friends’ expeditions up Mont Blanc, climbing glaciers, hiking in Croatia, and achieving truly incredible feats that inspired me to enjoy the outdoors more. Their friendship made my planned solitary retreat into a deeply spiritual, social, and emotional experience centered around our passion for the outdoors. Even when I wasn’t expecting it, it was the people who made my experience in the mountains so fulfilling.

Although those were only three examples of people making a difference during my time in Europe, I found that anywhere I went, carrying a smile, a patient attitude, and a willingness to learn from others always resulted in a new friend from another corner of the globe. I think this is what makes studying abroad so worthwhile, especially for engineers. It broadens our perspective, realizing how rich different cultures and people can be, while simultaneously revealing the experiences that universally bond people. We learn that our work in making the world a better place directly impacts these wonderful people that we become friends with. We begin to hold a noble responsibility to care for them through our efforts and work.

Without the countless people I met during my two months abroad, I would only have pictures without stories behind them. Meals without laughter. Nights out without dancing. The people in this world are what make it so special, and to have the opportunity to experience so many of them during this time has been such an immense blessing.

To all those who have been following this blog, to IPE and the University of Michigan, to my parents and family, everyone who has studied abroad before me and encouraged me to go, to all my friends new and old, and to everyone who has changed my life during these past two months in one way or another, I thank you with all that I have. Without your love and support this once in a lifetime experience would not have been possible, and I would surely not be the person I am today. Thank you again, for your everything. And as always, thanks for checking in.

Joey Imperial

Environmental Engineering

Sustainability and Industrial Ecology - UTT, Troyes, France

Barcelona has always been a dream destination for me. It appeared in my imagination as a thriving coastal reef, bursting with life and stimuli for all the senses. As bittersweet as it was to leave the alpine paradise of Switzerland, I could hardly contain myself as I rode the airport shuttle to the Plaça Catalunya in the heart of Barcelona for my first night in this alluring, magical city.

My excursion in Barcelona began with a two-nights stay with one of my UMich friends and his parents who were there for the week! It was such a treat to have a friend from home again after a couple of weeks going solo around various corners of Europe. Between a couple tapas crawls around the winding alleyways of the city, churros and chocolate, and a relaxed day at the beach, my stay with them proved to be an excellent introduction to life in Barcelona. 

Montserrat

On my first day alone in the city I made my way, by train, to the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey located about 30 miles northwest of Barcelona. Unique as a mountaintop monastery, the hike up to Montserrat was an extraordinary experience as I was able to gradually see more and more of the Catalan lowlands

Just keep climbing!

View from the Monastery of the Catalan lowlands

The Monastery, situated in between the serrations that give Montserrat its name 

The Virgin of Montserrat, the Patron Saint of Catalonia

The sanctuary of the Cathedral

Exploring the quiet retreat of Montserrat was awe-inspiring as it must have required immense amounts of devotion and faith to construct. The buildings, with simple yet perfectly elegant architecture, seemed to fit perfectly into their dramatic mountain backdrops, inspiring visitors to look to the beauty of nature as inspiration of faith. Walking through the monastery I felt as though every paving stone, archway, and pillar was deliberately designed to produce peace and invoke spiritual reflection. Montserrat was a perfect day-trip retreat before I would plunge into the vibrant streets of the city.

La Sagrada Familia

My first stop in the city was the world-famous La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Designed by the genius architect Antoni Gaudi, construction on the cathedral began in 1882 and is still continuing! The cathedral is expected to be completed in 2026, marking the 100 year death anniversary of Gaudi. Every element of the cathedral reflect’s Gaudi’s deep appreciation and fascination with nature, as the pillars represent towering tree trunks of a forest and the stained glass windows on the east and west faces of the cathedral beam brilliant hues of blues and reds to emulate sunrise and sunset. This was hands-down one of the most spectacular human achievements I have ever witnessed, and the brilliance of light flooding into this space will always glow brightly in my memory.

The Nativity Facade, facing East

The towering “tree trunks” supporting the massive roof and spires of the Cathedral

Cool blue and green hues flooding in through the East windows, evoking sensations of morning

Passionate reds and oranges pouring through the West windows, representing dusk and sunset.

The Sanctuary

Mercat de la Boqueria

Much like in Valencia, Barcelona is home to an extraordinary open air market where you can find the finest streetfood the city has to offer. I came her for a quick dinner bite before heading to Parc Guell for the evening. The fruit displays, friendly atmosphere, and bustle of smells wafting between the stalls made la Boqueria a simply enjoyable place to be. I picked up a cone of fried seafood (prawns, sardines, cod, and squid) and a cone of the world-famous jamon Iberico. An exquisite “street meal” for cheap, and the perfect atmosphere to enjoy it!

Jamon will always a have a special place in my heart :)

Parc Guell and Gaudi

On postcards Barcelona is often depicted as a city flourishing with unique architecture and colors. As La Sagrada Familia had proven, this reputation is not wrong. Gaudi had a strong creative influence on the architecture around the city including residential buildings and a park north of the shore that provides a dramatic overlook of the city. Again, his extremely unique style often highlights the intricacies of nature while exemplifying beautiful craftsmanship and creativity.

Gaudi’s Casa Batlló

The top of Park Güell , overlooking the city

Park Guell Porter’s Lodge

Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, My Last Night

My last night in Barcelona and Europe was spent strolling the streets of Barcelona waiting for my 5:00 AM shuttle to the airport. At the beginning of the night I made my way to the “Magic Fountain” to watch the light show that many of my hostelmates had recommended. The combinations of colors, water streams, music, and a spectacular sunset backdrop made it for the perfect conclusion to my trip. As I sat among the crowd, I couldn’t help but notice that everyone there was simply enjoying themselves to their greatest capacity. During my time in Europe I learned to enjoy life more. From the little things like having a bed to sleep in after a long day of travel or seeing the Eiffel Tower twinkle at night, there’s so much in life to appreciate that too often goes unappreciated. 

As always, thank you for checking in on this last stop of the trip! My final reflection will be up soon!

Joey Imperial

Environmental Engineering

Sustainability and Industrial Ecology - UTT, Troyes France

After my stint in Chamonix I made my way back to Geneva to stay with some of my family’s very close friends who have lived in Geneva for the majority of their lives. Although I have never met them before, they welcomed me into their beautiful home with unbelievable hospitality. Needless to say, home-cooked food, hot showers, and my own room were a pleasant change after my time in Chamonix

After a wonderful welcome dinner, my “Tita P” (”Aunt P”) began asking about what I would like to see in Switzerland. I hadn’t done too much research about Switzerland before coming as this part of the trip was not originally on the agenda, but I did have one spot that I really wanted to see. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Washington DC several times in my life, and more specifically the National Gallery of Art. There is an absolutely extraordinary piece of work there by Albert Bierstadt entitled “Lake Lucerne”. I saw that massive painting nearly 4 years ago, but it is still, to this day, my favorite piece of art that I have ever seen. Lake Lucerne is located in Switzerland, only about a 3 hour drive from Geneva. Naturally, Tita P did everything in her power to get us there, and I couldn’t thank her enough.

“Lake Lucerne,” Albert Bierstadt, 1858. Picture credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org

In our journey to Luzern we decided to stop at Jungfraujoch, nicknamed the “Top of Europe” as it is home to the highest train station in Europe at 11,332 ft. We would end the day at my Tita P’s vineyard chalet on the end of Lac Leman opposite of Geneva. The next day I would have to return to Geneva to catch my flight to Barcelona. With that chronology explained, here are some pictures from our travels!

Swiss chalets are designed to beautifully blend into their natural surroundings. With dark wood and simple construction, these chalets are cozy and perfectly suited for their alpine environments.

View of a valley from the train to Jungraujoch.

Unfortunately it was awfully cloudy when we arrived at the Jungfraujoch observation station, but this is what it looks like on a clear day. Regardless of the weather, it was incredible to learn about the history of the station and the human achievement of building a railway to the top of a mountain!

After Jungraujoch we made our way to Luzern! Although I didn’t find the viewpoint that Albert Bierstadt painted from, the town and surrounding mountains were just as photogenic.

The Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, is one of the most famous features of Luzern! It’s a wooden footbridge dating back to 1333

Sunset View of Lac Leman on our way to spend the night at the chalet

View from the chalet in the morning. It was incredible to see such uniform and beautiful vineyards manicured on the steepest slopes! 

With a personal tour of the best that Switzerland has to offer finished, I made my way to the Geneva airport in quite the bittersweet mood. I was looking forward to meeting Barcelona, but I knew that I had to come back and see more of this beautiful nation after experiencing such unique landscapes, food, and history.

Reflections from Barcelona and home to come very soon; thanks for checking in and joining me on these last legs of my trip!

Joey Imperial Environmental Engineering Sustainability and Industrial Ecology - UTT, Troyes, France It’s been about a week since I’ve been back home in Michigan and I’ve finally found the time to edit my photos and reflect on the crazy last two weeks that I had in Europe. Apologies for the delay of these posts, but I hope that the retrospection of my experiences and travels will be able to enhance the telling of their stories!

Chamonix: Ski Mecca by Winter, Hiker’s Paradise by Summer

As I hopped on the bus to Chamonix from Geneva, Switzerland, I could hardly contain my excitement for the next 6 days. I began hearing my fellow bus riders’ motives for travelling to Chamonix when we stopped at the French border and were questioned by the border officers. “I’m ice climbing for two weeks.” “I’m summiting Mont Blanc.” “I’m hiking to Italy.” I was blown away by the level of experience and passion that these people had for the outdoors, and I soon understood why they were coming to Chamonix to express it.

This was the view from my hostel on the Chamonix Valley floor. Every day I was blessed with the opportunity to wake up and see Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Europe standing at 15,781 feet, right out my window.

I came to Chamonix because of my love for hiking. For me, hiking is a way to truly connect with the natural world and be in tune with my thoughts and body. I was worried coming into this portion of the trip for my own safety as I have never hiked completely alone before, nor in such an extreme environment for the sport. Nevertheless, my host at the hostel (her name was Ella), became one of my closest friends that I made here and she never failed to make sure that she knew where I was and that my safety was the highest priority. Ella’s hospitality allowed me to saunter through the beautifully serrated heights of Chamonix, soaking in every second while knowing someone had my back.

My roommates in the hostel also became very good friends as every day we would reconvene, sunburnt, exhausted, but accomplished, and retell our experiences from the day. They all loved the outdoors, and that energy was infectious and always exciting to be around. We felt like we were in the world’s most beautiful playground and that we could all be kids again. They made Chamonix more than just a sight for me; it truly felt like a home away from home.

My first hike took me up to Le Brevent, a popular peak to summit (or take the cable car up to) as it rewards an astonishing view of Mont Blanc and the rest of the range.

On my way up to Le Brevent I was surprised to come across the “Refuge de Bellachat” situated nearly a 3/4 of a mile above the valley floor. I stopped here for lunch, rested for a bit, and caught some beautiful alpine sun!

Charcuterie, salad, and coffee for lunch!

Panoramic view from Bellachat

As I continued on my journey, I noticed on my topographical map that there was an alpine lake nearby, but was a slight detour from predetermined route. I had made it up to Bellachat early enough to warrant the detour, and I could not have been happier with that choice. Lac Brevent was glacially cold, completely calm, and not one bit crowded. It was a hidden paradise, and part of me never wanted to leave, but Le Brevent was the ultimate goal.

At the top of Le Brevent. Elevation: 8,284 ft.

As I made my descent, I quickly learned that climbing down mountains is just as hard, or even harder, than climbing up mountains. The mountains in the French Alps have incredible incline grades, much steeper that most of those in the Rockies, which made for a fairly precarious trip back down. Nevertheless I made it back to the hostel safely, and content with the day.

My next hike to the “Cascade du Nord” was much easier as I was trying to recover from Le Brevent. Another “refuge” greeted me as I arrived at the waterfall and I had ample time in the day to take a nap in the sun, read, and watch the water flow without a care in the world.

Cascade du Nord. Not pictured: the four preceding waterfalls that, from a distance, made this cascade look like an enormous ladder of water.

Ascending to Lac Blanc

My last hike in Chamonix took me to Lac Blanc, one of the most famous spots in the area. Lac Blanc was actually my inspiration to come to Chamonix. As ridiculous as it sounds, my Windows laptop changes its background every day and there was a particular day in May (before I departed for my trip) that Lac Blanc was the featured photo. I did some quick researching about where it was and how far it was from the other places I would be travelling, and then decided I had to make it there. This hike was the fulfillment of that dream and the conclusion of my time in the beautiful, charming Chamonix.

Lac Blanc, still partically frozen. The lake was fairly crowded with other hikers which made for a fun, social atmosphere while we all enjoyed the beautiful weather and views.

Lac Noir, a 45 minute ascending hike from Lac Blanc, primarily frozen with unearthly blue water. The route to get to Lac Noir from Lac Blanc was not formally marked, but my trusty topographical map lead me to this sanctuary of rock, ice, and snow. I was the only soul at this lake and it honestly made for an eerie experience as the only sound was the faint trickle of water from the melting snow. 

The final view of Mont Blanc before leaving Chamonix

Chamonix became far more than just a hiking trip for me. It taught me to trust in the path less traveled. It taught me the power of a genuine smile and plenty of laughter at the end of an exhausting day. It taught me that, as Edmund Hillary said, “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

Reflections of Switzerland, Barcelona, and home to come. Thanks for checking in!

Joey Imperial

Environmental Engineering

Sustainability and Industrial Ecology - UTT, Troyes, France

I’m writing this from the bottom bunk in my hostel in Chamonix. There’s a stormy breeze rolling through. The sunset, although hidden behind the imposing “Le Brévent”, is transmitting its colors through the valley’s clouds, casting pervasive yellow and purple hues through the streets. 

Since my last update from Cafe Negra, I have spent 3 days in Valencia, Spain and 4 days in Chamonix, France. The food, scenery, and overall feeling of both of these cities starkly contrast each other, but I’ve loved my experiences in these charming pockets of Europe equally. I shall report on Chamonix in a separate post. For now: Valencia!

I arrived in Valencia later in the evening and took the metro from the airport to the train station in the middle of town. To my surprise, the hostel I was staying at was located within the train station which made for a very unique sleeping experience, to say the least. But overall, the accommodations were excellent and the service was great!

Sunset from the Valencia Airport tarmac

One of the various plazas throughout Valencia. While I was there the weather was particularly hot, so the plazas served as great places for people to catch some shade and a cold drink!

Valencia was particularly interesting because both the Old Town and “New Town” are very well known and full of sights to see. 

The exterior and interior of the Església Catedral-Basílica Metropolitana de l'Assumpció de la Mare de Déu de València, or more easily, Saint Mary’s Cathedral. It features a “lantern tower” near the center of the Cathedral that uses thin sheets of alabaster stone to let in incredible amounts of light!

For lunch I made my way to the Mercat Central to pick up some local, cheaper eats and I was astonished by the variety of produce, meats, seafood, and wines that the market had to offer. The atmosphere was both thriving and comfortable; cooks were hunting for the freshest ingredients for their dinner specialty while normal visitors like myself strolled through the aisles of extravagant culinary opportunity stress-free.

Jamón, or dry-cured ham, is one of my absolute favorite Spanish delicacies! I picked up a few bocadillos (small sandwiches) made with jamón, local cheese, and olive oil for just a few euro. Couldn’t ask for a better lunch!

The New Town of Valencia is absolutely exceptional and is highlighted by the  Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, or the City of Arts and Sciences. The Gardens of Turia are a 9 km long park that wrap all around Old Town Valencia and lead to the Ciutat. Needless to say, exploring the Ciutat’s buildings and natural features felt like an extraterrestrial reconnaissance mission.

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia - Opera house and performing arts center

The supporting structure of L’Umbracle, an open air, landscaped walk home to indigenous Valencian plant species

L'Hemisfèric - IMAX Cinema, planetarium, and laserium

Art installation by Arne Quinze entitled “My Secret Garden”. Various similar pieces are scattered throughout the Ciutat for the duration of the summer.

Playa de Malvarrosa. The sand here was so incredibly fine - it felt like walking on powder! The water was splendidly warm and the sunset was a perfect way to end my stay in Valencia

I chose Valencia as my next destination after Porto because it was one of the cheapest flights I could get. I had no pre-existing opinions about the city and I was blown away by the complexity, richness, and beauty that was simply there for me to explore and soak in. Between the wonderful people I encountered, spectacular food, and beautiful sights, Valencia surprised me in the best way possible and I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of its story, even for just a few days.

I’ll be updating about Chamonix once all the hiking and exploring is completed so as to give you a full account of how beautiful this alpine paradise truly is.

As always, thanks for checking in!

Joey Imperial 

Environmental Engineering

Sustainability and Industrial Ecology - UTT, Troyes, France

After our program ended on Sunday (June 23) in Paris, 5 of us Michigan students made our way to the beautiful city of Porto (or natively, Oporto) in northern Portugal. Upon our arrival we were greeted with the news that Porto was celebrating the Festa de São João do Porto, or the Feast of St. John the Baptist that night. We were only told that there would be music and people hitting each other on the head with hammers; needless to say, we were intrigued.

As we walked out of our hostel we realized it was more than just a small concert in the city center. There were thousands of people flooding the streets, music erupting from alleyways, bars, parks and plazas, and the delicious smell of grilled sardines wafting through the air. It was one of the rowdiest, most unexpected, and absolutely joyous occasions we could have stumbled upon. We even heard reports that people had stayed out dancing, drinking, and eating until 7 AM the next day.

The streets of Porto on São João. Picture credits: https://lavainana.com.br/

The city center the morning after São João -- all cleaned up!

Porto from the famous Luís I Bridge

Taking a break in the cloister of the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar. It’s the only circular cloister in all of Europe!

The food in Porto is also incredible! Fresh seafood galore and excellent grilled meats have kept us more than satisfied for the past few days. 

Bifinas are roasted pork sandwiches served on homemade bread. Extremely popular street food during São João!   

The closest plate in the photo is francesinha, a Porto specialty, made with bread, wet-cured ham, smoke-cured pork sausage, steak, and covered with melted cheese, fried eggs and hot, thick tomato and beer sauce.Lastly, it’s served either on top or with a side of fries. Absolutely incredible, hearty meal!

Porto was an incredible city to visit and I would come back in a heartbeat to explore more of the intimate footpaths, local food joints, and hidden treasures that make Porto so enchanting. I’m off to Valencia, Spain in a few hours, and as always, thanks for checking in!

Environmental Engineering

Sustainability and Industrial Ecology - UTT, Troyes, France

I’m currently sitting in Negra Cafe in the heart of Porto, Portugal. The last of my Michigan friends have just hopped on the metro back to the airport to make their way back to Paris, and then on their own ways. I’ve made it to the scariest point of my trip thus far -- travelling completely alone for 3 weeks.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve updated you on my travels, and boy has a lot happened in the past week and a half. 

Our last week in Troyes was a bittersweet one to say the least. We mixed studying for exams with time in the university’s park remarking how memorable the quaint, quirky town of Troyes will be for us. From all-night talks in the dorms to 45 minute treks to the city center at least 3 times a week, we all concluded that this experience was one we will never have again in our lives, and we wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.

Le Couer de Troyes (The Heart of Troyes)

We also realized that integration of studying and real-life experience enhances learning in ways we didn’t know were possible. As we studied industrial ecology, ecodesign, and circular economy, we saw French society working towards a greener economy in the wind-farms of rural Champagne. As we basked in the beauty of Parisian monuments we recognized the names of famous kings and valiant battles. Being immersed in our studies taught us that the world can be your textbook as long as you are willing to open it.

Our last weekend together as a program was spent in Paris during the Fête de la Musique, France’s largest music festival that features free musical performances on nearly every street corner all day and night on June 21st. The weekend was free for us to explore the city and soak in everything that it had to offer.

Les Champs-Élysées at night

The Arc de Triomphe

Sainte-Chapelle, the residence of the French kings until the 14th century. Some of the most beautiful stained glass I’ve ever seen in my life!

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. The perimeter was blocked off to the public as reconstruction of the steeple continues

Le Basilique du Sacre Cœur de Montmarte

The view from Sacre Cœur before 7:00 AM mass

Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower! We made it to the top right as the sun was setting which prompted the tower to “twinkle” for the first time that night.

In the winding Catacombs of Paris

Visiting the Louvre! 

Our programs’s last night together. Every minute of the past six weeks has been..full. Full of learning, joy, friendship, exhaustion, elation, exploration. 

As I move on with the rest of my trip, it’s hard for me to fully grasp how much these past six weeks have changed me as a person. Our engineering class opened my eyes to the vast opportunities we have to engineer a better world. Exploring different corners of the world showed me that as people we are more similar than we think, and that our differences are what make life so beautiful. And the people on this trip...we’ll just say they will always have an incredibly special place in my heart.

To UMich, my family, and all the friends I’ve made on this trip: I thank you with everything that I have.

Updates from Porto to come very soon; thank you for checking in!

Joey Imperial

Environmental Engineering

Sustainability and Industrial Ecology (Finished!) - UTT, Troyes, France

I’m packing up from the dorms in Troyes, and I can’t believe how quickly everything has gone by, yet it seems like we’ve lived a full lifetime during our time here

Last weekend a group of Buffalo and UMich students took to Paris to visit Versailles and cheer on the USA Women’s National Soccer team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup before the last week of classes were to ensue. Just a two hour bus ride away from Troyes, Paris was the perfect spot for a quick excursion as we had a normal two day weekend.

We traveled to Versailles from Paris (roughly an hour journey across various metro lines depending where you are) on Saturday. The weather was gorgeous, but the crowds of visitors were out in full force. Nevertheless, the immensity of the palace and gardens easily swallowed us up. Enjoy some pictures!

The Palace and Gardens of Versailles were constructed by King Louis XIV as a way to exhibit his supremacy over his noble subjects and his grandeur as the “Sun King”

The Palace has 700 rooms and is capable of housing 20,000 people. King Louis XIV often used the estate for hosting parties as well as smaller groups of guests. The royal family also resided here.

The Hall of Mirrors is one of the most famous rooms from the palace and features an enormous vaulted ceiling covered, gold crowning, mirrors (of course), and an extraordinary view of the gardens

The gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre who designed many other famous gardens for chateaus around France during the time of Louis XIV. At Versailles his designs focused around the beauty and elegance of water. He believed that manipulating water on such grand scales not only brought a dynamic element to the gardens but also symbolized the man, and more importantly the king’s, dominance over nature.

The Grand Canal is the heart of the gardens and is in the shape of a cross. Each arm of the cross is nearly a mile long!

After we got back from Versailles for the day, we decided to give the Eiffel Tower a visit for the evening. The atmosphere around the lawns was of pure enjoyment. Friends were gathering, kids were playing, and everyone was enjoying a beautiful evening in Paris.

On Sunday we visited the Musee d’Orsay which features the Impressionist works of Monet, Renoir, and Manet. It also houses the famous Van Gogh self-portrait. It was a beautifully laid out museum and was perfect for a 3-3.5 hour visit. Highly recommend!

After our time at the Musee d’Orsay, we made our way towards Parc des Princes (Paris Saint-Germain’s home stadium). We met up with a group called the American Outlaws, a dedicated fan group for the women’s national team for music, food, and games before the match. From there we marched down to the stadium - streets closed off and all!

USA won over Thailand 3-0! 

We had an exceptional weekend in Paris and are heading back there this weekend as our capstone excursion for our program.

We completed our exams for both of our classes today, people are packing up, and the sun is shining bright as ever. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone by and how many memories I’ve made here in France, and I’m looking forward to recounting the smaller experiences more in blogs to come!

I’ll be staying in Europe until July 13 aside from the program but will continue to document my adventures and experiences. Thanks for checking in, and see you soon after another weekend in Paris!