FRANCE - PARIS I

I arrived at Paris Gare du Nord on a warm summer evening. The moment I stepped outside, I was greeted by the softly glowing streets of a bustling city. What immediately caught my attention were the countless cafés and restaurants, packed to the brim with people. You could instantly feel the pulse of the city surrounding you. It was honestly a bit overwhelming at first, as it slowly dawned on me that this was going to be my home for the next few months. It took a few weeks to fully sink in that this experience wasn’t as temporary as it felt in those initial moments.

The flood of new experiences in those early days made time seem to stretch out. Each day felt long and packed with new impressions. But once I finally started to settle in, time began to fly. However, before getting too ahead of myself, let’s start at the beginning.

The first day at university was overwhelming. Everyone seemed so full of energy and much louder than I was used to. Coming from a different university experience, it was all quite new for me, and I wasn’t really sure how to handle the constant buzz of activity and excitement around me. The noise of Paris combined with the intensity of those first few days made it all feel a bit chaotic.

One of the most striking aspects of my host country that I noticed early on was how students behaved in class. In my experience, there’s usually an unspoken code of respectful communication and behavior in class, but many French students in my courses didn’t seem to follow it. It wasn’t uncommon for students to arrive late without apology, use e-cigarettes in class, or participate very little. I’m not sure why this is the case, but I attribute it to one key difference: where there’s a strong sense of self-responsibility in Liechtenstein, with students accountable for their own success, here, it sometimes felt like the students attended class as if it were a requirement rather than a choice. It was so noticeable that I could feel the teachers were often underappreciated by their students.

In general, you can definitely tell that EM Normandie is a private business school, just by looking at the students—their clothes, their attitudes, and the overall atmosphere.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that daily life in Paris starts later in the morning and ends much later at night. It's common to see bustling bistros, brasseries, and restaurants still full at 11 p.m., with people dining and drinking in large groups. I wouldn't be surprised if the average Parisian spends a significant part of their budget on food and drinks. Given how dining out here is costing me an arm and a leg, that assumption might not be too far off! Compared to the culture I’ve experienced in Germany and Liechtenstein, this is definitely something I wish we had back home.

Every time I pass by a bar or restaurant late in the evening, it brings a smile to my face to see people laughing and enjoying a meal together. What I love most is how Parisians embrace the small pleasures of life, spending quality time with friends and sharing a laugh—even on a regular weekday. It really adds to the overall quality of life, taking time for these little moments, rather than waiting for the weekend to finally schedule dinner with friends because work has taken up so much of your time.

Overall, my time in Paris has been an exciting whirlwind of new experiences, challenges, and discoveries. From the vibrant late-night dining culture to the unique university environment, every moment has contributed to a deeper understanding of both the city and myself. Living here has taught me to embrace the unexpected, appreciate the little pleasures in life, and adapt to new ways of thinking. While some things were a bit overwhelming at first, they’ve only added to the excitement of this experience. As my time here continues, I look forward to what other surprises Paris has in store.