Hannah Geist, Historical Art & Architecture of Paris, Summer 2026
As for traveling to any foreign country, food is a huge part of embracing local culture and tradition. It was one of my favorite elements to explore when I was in Paris!
The French are known for a few things: croissants, snails, and macarons. I am proud to say that I tried all three.
It is safe to say that I am not the world’s biggest fan of snails; however, we learned that, in Paris, the snail has a much larger meaning than just being a tasty snack to some. Paris itself is shaped like a snail, with each arrondissement, or neighborhood, spiraling out from the city center into a shape that looks like a snail shell. I would have never been inclined to try snails in the United States simply because it is not seen as a popular food here. I am glad that I got to try it at least once and come home with a little fun fact about snails. I promised myself that I would keep an open mindset and try to always say yes to any opportunity that presented itself to me while I was abroad, and I am happy that I did.
French croissants and macarons are just as good as they look in pictures. You can smell them from blocks away, and each café had its own personal touch. The
baristas and bakers in the cafes were always so friendly.
Food was also a way that I was able to bond with my other peers during our time there. Going into this, I did not really know anyone. As time went on, it became almost a daily ritual to go as a group to grab a coffee and a croissant before class began. This time, whether it be grabbing coffee or going out to dinner after a long day of learning, became crucial bonding time. We were able to talk and truly get to know one another. It brought us much closer and helped me to create friendships and memories that I will never forget.
Leave a Reply