Over the summer, Los Medanos College hosted its study abroad program. Partnered with the European Studies Association, students were given the chance to study in Paris, France from July 1 to July 30.
To spend a summer in a famous city is an adventure on its own, but to spend it with your friends from back home is an opportunity you cannot pass up. Student Aliyah Ramirez got to do just that — and it was also her first time traveling out of the country.
“I did miss my family at times,” said Ramirez. “But I was still able to communicate with them.”
Ramirez was also a dorm assistant, so she would get ready for the day much earlier than her classmates. She woke up early to retrieve bread from a nearby shop and set up breakfast. She described watching the sunrise as one of the best parts of her day.
“Paris is just a really beautiful city, so you can’t really get tired of just walking around,” said Ramirez.
Honors director Jen Saito, one of the leading coordinators for the program, is fluent in French and has been visiting Paris for the past 15 years. This summer, Saito taught HUMAN 030, Modernist Paris, and has been teaching the summer program for 3 years. Her experience was useful when she taught the basic etiquettes of Parisian culture in orientation.
Ramirez recalled this orientation when visiting restaurants and other public places, where she would greet others with eye contact.
“I wasn’t worried,” Saito said about the program. She recalled that “you cannot plan for everything.”
Student CJ Onyeagucha — who also took Saito’s course — learned about the program because of her. He recounted how Saito recommended it to her students.
Outside of class, Onyeagucha spent his days in the city walking around, since he liked how everything was within walking distance for him.
“Being able to live in a foreign country and having an independent life was pretty fun,” said Onyeagucha.
Although there were some troubles students and faculty faced during their trip — such as the metro system — they were able to find alternatives, like using a bus instead of a train.
Alongside LMC, Los Angeles Valley College and East Los Angeles College partnered with ESA. With a total of 300 students coming abroad, each got to experience a one-of-a-kind trip.
With Paris hosting the Olympics this year on July 26, students were able to see the opening ceremony. Witnessing a new side of the city was a good way to close the program as the trip came to its end.
