Safiyyah participated in an 8 week internship in Paris, France during the summer of 2024. Here are some of her thoughts on the experience.
How did you hear about the program?
I went to one of the Study Abroad Info. Sessions and told Sandra (Sandra Cortez, Study Abroad Coordinator) about my interests. She later got in touch with me and told me I was eligible for a grant to pay for my passport, as I didn’t have one. She then followed up with me with an opportunity with CIEE.
What were you involved in during the program? What kinds of things were you working on?
As an Animation and Motion Graphics major, I was a design intern. So that included motion graphics and concept art. I used a lot of the tools I had learned in class that semester—I was working on Adobe After Effects and had to come up with a lot of sketches for the company.
What kind of company did you work for?
It was a human resources start-up—a small business, very cool co-workers, I really liked my boss.
Did they speak mostly French? Did they speak English? What was the environment like as far as languages?
Everyone spoke English around me, although they were French, and spoke French to each other.
Do you know any French?
No, but I learned some words and phrases while I was there.
Where you comfortable there without knowing French? What about exploring the rest of Paris as an English speaker?
At first, I was intimidated, but I quickly noticed a lot of English words were used in businesses and street signs. I was soon able to recognize some written words in French.
What if you didn’t know the French words for something, like “I want to order a croissant”, were people okay with you speaking English?
Yes, they were.
What was your living situation like?
I lived in an apartment with three other girls, on the outskirts of Paris, super-lovely neighborhood, very quiet. It was friendly and easy to navigate.
Did you go out to get your own food or groceries?
Yes.
Did you have a chance to see some of the sites in Paris?
CIEE arranged some weekend trips for us. We went to the Palace of Versailles in the city of Versailles. There were beautiful gardens and sculptures – I loved seeing it. We also had a chance to go rowing and bike riding in the area.
Would you recommend the program to others?
Most definitely.
Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking of this program?
My advice would be to remain open-minded to the whole experience, especially meeting new people. You can be excited to get away from home, but may get homesick. It helps to make friends with others in the program, build up your own network. You will be meeting a whole new group of people that you can learn from — a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Also, when you are in France, try to travel outside Paris. It is super affordable and easy to travel within France. There are other beautiful cities and villages within France, some are really fairy tale like or medieval looking, and the air was so fresh.
What is next for you academically?
I am double majoring in Media Studies and Studio Art at Hunter College. I will also be doing a certification class in Arts and Leadership Management.
