Blonde and Abroad: The Tales of a SoCal Girl Living la Vie Parisienne: Winter Exchange Program with HEC Paris: Carpe Diem!

I am very excited to share that I am taking part in an MBA winter exchange program with HEC Paris!

Ever since I first studied abroad back in 2015 at Paris 3-La Nouvelle Sorbonne through the Middlebury Exchange Program, I knew that I wanted to return to Paris and study at the master's level. There are many reasons, for which I wanted to do this. First, I love speaking French and understanding the French in their own language; moreover, I have found that my ability to speak French has often led to a much deeper (and personal) immersions in French culture, which remain some of the best experiences of my life to date. Second, I am intensely curious and academic. I find taking classes with new students of diverse backgrounds and professors with different pedagogies to be quite stimulating and wonderfully different compared to my US MBA experience. Third, Paris is my favorite city in the world, and while I am fortunate to have been here many times, it never ceases to amaze and inspire me.

When I began looking at US-based MBA programs in 2018-2020, I always inquired if the program had a Paris study abroad opportunity because it was a "must-have" criterion for my future MBA experience. Fortunately, UVA Darden did have an exchange program with HEC Paris and with a lot of luck, I was able to secure a spot for the winter quarter. I couldn't be more grateful as this experience has been a dream in the making for 8 years!

Given that this exchange only lasts 2 months (early January to end of February), I embrace the daily mindset of "carpe diem," which means "seize the day" in Latin. I fully recognize that I am building memories that I'll consider to be some of the best memories of my life, which leads me to be very mindful about how to spend each day.

I prioritize spending time with my French friends or the other HEC students versus traveling to other parts of Europe. I enjoy sitting in a cafe or at a park and reading a French book versus hurrying to the next attraction. I like finding small parks or museums to visit versus visiting Paris' most popular sites. I will walk to a farther metro stop (or even all the way to my next destination) to fully admire Parisian life and its sites.

I feel present and alive each day.

For the remainder of the blog, I will divide it into two parts: 1) my first two weeks at HEC; and 2) scenic shots and experiences in Paris.

HEC Paris:

HEC Paris is one of the most prestigious undergrad and masters business programs in France and in Europe. It is located in Jouy-en-Josas, which is a ~25 minute car ride from Paris or 1h by public transit. Its MBA program is 18 months long and has two cohort intakes each year (i.e. 160-180 students start in September 2021 and graduate in December 2022; 160-180 students start in January 2022 and graduate in June 2023, etc.). Between 94-98% of students are international and hail from all over the world. It is very similar to an American college campus, and 80% of MBA students live in the provided housing. All classes are taught in English. A summer internship isn't required, but a specialized concentration is. The food hall is only open Monday-Friday for lunch, but the food is much better and much more heavily subsidized than Darden. Classes are lecture based, not case method based. There is a gym with decent athletic facilities and class offerings, though I do find it amusing that a certified soccer coach must be present for all soccer club events, meaning that the soccer club doesn't organize pick-up soccer games!

I can go on and on about the similarities and differences between Darden and HEC Paris, but I'll simply conclude that I'm greatly enjoying and embracing the change of scene and experience!

The main academic building

The various paths connecting the different buildings

An example of student housing

Several dorms and the gym to the right

Scenic Shots and Experiences in Paris

Below are photos that I have taken over the course of my two weeks in Paris. I love to walk and take photos, and Paris lends itself very well to these two interests!

Place de la Concorde

Rue Reaumur, 2e arrondissement

Palais Royale

Tuileries

In front of the Musee D'Orsay

Inside the Musee D'Orsay

The hotel bedroom where Oscar Wilde lived and died (6e arrondissement)

Latin Quarter Corner

Saint Supplice Church

Saint Supplice Fountain

Lovely Haussmann apartment corner

Luxembourg Gardens

Ile de Saint Louis

Street Corner on Ile de Saint Louis

A favorite running route

Marche aux Puces of Saint Ouen

One of the largest "flea market" and secondhand malls in the world! You can truly find everything and anything there, including exquisite 17-18th antiques