Coming from a lifetime in the Midwest, where Milwaukee and Minneapolis are considered large cities, I know that Paris is an order of magnitude larger than the two cities where I have spent my life. The constant press of French from all directions will likely be disorientating for at least the first few days, but I hope to adapt to it and understand overheard French by the end of my time in the country. As for the surroundings, I remember much more stone and gold in Paris than in any other city I have seen, as well as large courtyards and other grand spaces. The city will be foreign and far from home, but I hope to become comfortable there by the end of my stay.
What do I hope Paris will teach/show/inspire in me?
My time in Paris for this class will be the longest continuous time I will spend abroad in the foreseeable future, so I hope to use the opportunity to learn about another culture's norms and perspective. From art to conversation to people-watching, I expect that even breathing in Paris will show me details of French and European culture that I could not learn from reading an article or watching a video. I'm starting to feel unsure about leaving my base of comfort in America and going to a place where even the language will be difficult, but I know that the novelty of the experience is why I signed up for it.
What is my favorites work of French music, art or literature and why?
In high school, I read Le Petit Prince and found that it had an interesting take on life and existence. The story is very simply told, but the messages contained in it are still profound. In terms of art, I don't have a wide range of experience, but I had the opportunity to see an Impressionist display at the Milwaukee Art Museum a year ago, and found the subtlety of the paintings to be incredibly interesting. Honestly, being surrounded by the architecture of Paris is the singular artistic experience I most look forward to, because the structures are different enough from those I am used to that the difference will be significant.
What do I hope Paris will teach/show/inspire in me?
My time in Paris for this class will be the longest continuous time I will spend abroad in the foreseeable future, so I hope to use the opportunity to learn about another culture's norms and perspective. From art to conversation to people-watching, I expect that even breathing in Paris will show me details of French and European culture that I could not learn from reading an article or watching a video. I'm starting to feel unsure about leaving my base of comfort in America and going to a place where even the language will be difficult, but I know that the novelty of the experience is why I signed up for it.
What is my favorites work of French music, art or literature and why?
In high school, I read Le Petit Prince and found that it had an interesting take on life and existence. The story is very simply told, but the messages contained in it are still profound. In terms of art, I don't have a wide range of experience, but I had the opportunity to see an Impressionist display at the Milwaukee Art Museum a year ago, and found the subtlety of the paintings to be incredibly interesting. Honestly, being surrounded by the architecture of Paris is the singular artistic experience I most look forward to, because the structures are different enough from those I am used to that the difference will be significant.
Hopefully, your time in Paris will include docent-guided tours of several art museums . . . most of what I know about art I learned while living in Europe. There's nothing like standing in front of a Monet or a Goya or a Titian and having someone 'splain it all.
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