A Lovely Weekend Spent in Saint Malo!

I spent a wonderful weekend in Saint Malo, Brittany, visiting my friend, Ally. As brief background, we had met one another at Paris 3 in 2015 as we were assigned as each other's tandem language partners: she wanted to improve her English, and I wanted to improve my French. We would meet one another at parks, cafes, and restaurants, and switch back and forth speaking English and French. Over the past 8 years, we have maintained our friendship: I would always visit her when back in Paris, and we would stay in contact using WhatsApp messaging and video chat. When she moved to Saint Malo, she invited me to visit her, and of course, I couldn't refuse when back in France!

Saint Malo is a historic, walled port city along the English Channel. Construction of the walled city's fortifications began in the 12th century. The town became a key port during the 17th and 18th centuries as a base for both merchant ships and government-sanctioned privateers (pirates, basically) against the constant threat of the English and Dutch fleets. Its most famous seafarer is Jacques Cartier, a born and raised Malouin (the name given the Saint Malo locals), who is credited for discovering Canada in 1534. Unfortunately, St Malo's defensive walls were quite unable to protect the city from bombardment during the Second World War, both by the Germans and by the Allies, and a large part of the old city was reduced to rubble - though not the ramparts. The rebuilding of old Saint Malo was one of the great heritage restoration projects in the aftermath of the war, and while the old city centre was not rebuilt as it was before, it was built in the same way and the same style, without any inappropriate modern developments to change its skyline. Today, it is a popular tourist destination for French and British travelers!

From the spectacular sites and sunny weather to the delicious food and splendid company, I truly enjoyed my trip with Ally in Saint Malo. Every moment was pure and blissful fun. I highly recommend it as a place to visit in France!

FRIDAY

I arrived by train from Paris to Saint Malo. It was an easy 2.5 hour ride with a brief connection in Rennes. As I waited for Ally to finish her work, I spent the afternoon walking around the spectacular ramparts, 1.2 mile loop. (Once she finished, we enjoyed some tea at a local tea salon, returned to her home, and ate a delicious seafood dinner.)

Walking along the ramparts with the National Fort in the background

The National Fort. At this moment, it is accessible by walking. However, Saint Malo is home to some of the most dynamic tide changes so one should check the tide before setting out!

Bidouane Tower and the ramparts

Walking along the remparts with Bon Secours Beach to the right

Bon Secours Beach down below with the Grand Bé (where the tomb of 19th century French diplomat  Chateaubriand is) and Petit Bé (a small fort) in the background 

Looking out to the lighthouse 

Still walking along the remparts with Plage du Mole and its seawater pool (and diving board) to the left!

Taken from the rampart to give perspective of the height of the walls 

Saint Malo's lighthouse

The old town from a distance taken from the lighthouse walkway

Saint Malo Cathedral taken from the ramparts

SATURDAY

We had a very full and eventful Saturday together! In the morning, Ally (along with her daughter) showed me many beautiful beaches around Saint Malo. We had a traditional Brittany lunch of savory crepes (galettes) and sugary crepes at a restaurant atop of the old town ramparts. In the afternoon, we explored other parts of Saint Malo and enjoyed some tea at her friend's home. For dinner, we went to a local pub and then, proceeded to dance the night away to American funk music at a local bar... "Freak Out! ... Le Freak, c'est chic!"

Plage de la Hoguette with Saint Malo and its cathedral in the distance

Plage de la Varde (or Varde Beach). Here, we sat on the sand and enjoyed cappuccinos and kouign-ammans, a layered, butter-filled Breton pastry.  

Walking around Pointe de la Varde (or Varde Point)

A midday stroll along the ramparts 

You can see how much the tide (and resulting landscape) has changed since yesterday! Also, don't let the sun fool you... it was 40 degrees Fahrenheit that day!

Look how much more land/sand the low tides have revealed!

Now the Grand Bé and Petit Bé are within walking distance!

Magical, isn't it? (Especially for January!)

After our lunch of galettes and crepes, we walked over to the Camping of the Cité and walked around this summer camping site; both the lighthouse and old town of Saint Malo are in the distance  

The Solidor Tower 

The Solidor Tower at sunset

Sunset with the Eglise Saint Croix in the distance 

What colors!

SUNDAY

On Sunday, Ally drove me to several more idyllic towns to explore before I boarded my train at noon. We visited Cancale (pictured below in all 3 photos), the site of the best oysters in France, Saint Pere Marc en Poulet, and Saint Suliac. They were all very charming!

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

Palais Royale

Tuileries 

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

Musee Maillot - lovely little French museum highlighting the 19th sculptor's work 

The Swedish cafe and its courtyard.... what a setting!

Square Samuel Rousseau and Saint Clothilde Basilica

Boulevard Saint Germain  

La Seine River

The wonderful chaos of Place de la Concorde, Paris' true center

Le Pont Alexandre III

My favorite picture taken so far

Le Louvre