Hey! My name is Jacob Halter, I’m a third year student, currently studying abroad at Sciences Po in Paris, France for the Spring semester. I am halfway through my second semester here and wanted to reflect on my experience abroad and provide meaningful insights on the benefits, challenges, and overall amazing experience it has been so far through the food habits and traditions in France!
One aspect that has truly stood out to me as a part of the experience is the food culture and I wanted to share some thoughts on french cuisine/ dining customs. I’ve found that French culture places a much greater emphasis on dining compared to the United States. Dinner isn’t just a meal — it’s a time to sit down, share stories about your day, and fully enjoy the experience.
When dining with French people, there’s also a clear expectation to finish everything on your plate, reflecting both appreciation and respect for the meal. This is important to note when living with a homestay as you are required to have meals with them 5x per week and sometimes the dinner can take hours upon hours which is a bit long especially if you have other things to do such as being a student in Paris. I would recommend living in a homestay if you’re staying in a smaller city but in Paris there are endless opportunities for things to do that I found myself often conflicted between wanting to be out with my friends but obligated to have dinner with my homestay. Most families are very flexible though and I recommend finding one that you’re completely content with so you’re not stuck in a situation that causes this dilemma.
Another aspect I find important to note about living in Paris is grocery shopping if you’re living in a student dorm or apartment. I recommend shopping at either Franprix or Monoprix as they’re both reasonable and have everything you need regarding the convenience of it. While living in a student dormitory, it can be hard to prepare your own food as the kitchen is typically shared which is I recommend the freshly prepared meals at Franprix, especially for budgeting as they’re around 5 euros, and have very high nutriscore ratings and you don’t have to do anything to prepare them which is nice when you’re feeling tired after class.
Finally I wanted to reflect on being a regular iced coffee consumer in Paris. In France, iced drinks aren’t as popular and if there's ice, there is usually one to two ice cubes. As a habitual iced coffee drinker, the one to two ice cubes is a bit disappointing coming from the United States but there are certain cafes I’ve found that do ice coffee justly and wanted to recommend those. Café Nuances, The Coffee, Café Cortado, and Cuvée Noire are all amazing choices when searching for a well done iced latte. Beyond the coffee scene, I’m truly grateful for this entire experience. Paris has proven to be the perfect city for dining with friends, embracing local culinary traditions, and immersing yourself in a culture that values slowing down and enjoying the moment. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.
Jacob Halter
Academic Year 2024-25
GW Paris - Sciences Po (GW Study Program)
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs and Economics Double Major