Study abroad in France - Day 6: a free day in Paris

by Justin Dostal, sophomore, business management

COB student stands in front of the Arc de TriompheToday I did something I never thought I would do. I had a free day in France with people I met less than a week ago. I would never have thought it would have been nearly as memorable or as enjoyable as possible. We went from looking at the Mona Lisa to shopping in designer stores surrounded by $200,000 sports cars to getting to know each other and becoming closer than I ever thought we would.

We started the day by going into Paris for the first time alone and having to navigate a new city with a language we don’t speak. It made us try to immerse ourselves and learn and have to depend on each other. Looking back on it, that was the best way to do it. Jumping into a new adventure with new people with no plan or clue of what to do was a great way to experience something new.

We made it to the Louvre and got to see the Mona Lisa and many other famous paintings and statues. The part I enjoyed the most was the glass pyramid or the garden outside of the Louvre. It was beautiful and just a short walk down to the Arc de Triomphe. We had split up into a few groups, which made it easier for everyone to get what they wanted and make sure we did not miss anything. It was honestly an amazing trip, and I wouldn’t trade the friends or memories I made along the way for anything.