The first half of my semester at GW Paris -Dauphine University has been a truly extraordinary time, where I have created memories that will last a lifetime. This study abroad program has so much to offer, from interesting and engaging classes to amazing access to Paris, and from program led excursions to plenty of time to travel across all of Europe and beyond. I cannot believe this experience is already halfway done, but I am equally excited for all the great opportunities to come.
One great advantage of this study abroad program are the GW led events and activities. Among many things, the GW excursions offer opportunities to get to know my peers in both the Dauphine cohort and the other students studying in Paris. David and Florence who run the program are both wonderful and caring people. They are great fun to be with during program events and they have excellent local Parisian guidance throughout the city and the semester. So far, my favorite program excursion was our trip to Reims. This was when the Dauphine students met the Science Po program, which was a great time. I particularly enjoyed the tour of the champagne house we visited, as well as the guided historic tour of Reims cathedral, which is a definitive example of early French gothic architecture.
In Paris, I decided to take advantage of GW's homestay option. I live with a retired dance teacher named Christine, who has made my accommodation truly fantastic. She is such a wonderful person to be staying with. I particularly appreciate hearing about her dozens of travel experiences that span from Colombia to Ethiopia to India to Iran. She always has excellent food available and my bedroom is very comfortable. Best of all, my homestay experience gives me plenty of opportunities to practice my French language skills, which has helped me improve greatly.
In class at Dauphine, I have been exposed to a wide range of new and unique subjects that I would find nowhere else. Each professor and subject offers a particularly valuable experience that is teaching me so much. "Powers and Institutions in the Fifth Republic" offers a deep delve into the politics and history of France, a country that has a profound impact (for better or for worse) in global history. Today, I will be attending a live session of the Assemblée Nationale with this class, which I am very excited for. I also have a class with professors that work during the day at the OECD, and a class with a professor who fights for migrant rights in London, and commutes weekly into Paris to lecture our course. I also have two classes on French art, which is something I did not know much about prior to the courses. One of them is in French and will fulfill language requirements for me back at GW.
But perhaps the greatest part of study abroad are the opportunities to travel, and with France being such a transit hub, I have taken every available opportunity to explore Europe and beyond. My favorite travel experience so far took place during our half term break, where I went to Georgia. This country has a unique and rich history and culture that compares to nothing else, and was well complimented with great food and beautiful landscapes. I also took a day trip into Armenia, where I saw two amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites. If not for study abroad, I may never have had the opportunity to explore such an amazing place. During the semester, I have also traveled to Poland, Romania, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. I even have had time to explore other parts of France, most notably the ancient city of Lyon with the beautiful Fourvière hill.
With half of the semester done, I could not commend this experience more to other students at GW. If you are reading this blog post and you think you might benefit from this experience, put aside any travel jitters and take the chance on what will be a monumental opportunity that will define who you truly are.
Blaze Grabowski
Spring 2024
GW Paris - Universite Paris-Dauphine (GW Study Program)
Elliott School of International Affairs International Affairs Major
The Global Bachelor's Program