The City as Classroom, Scenes From Paris
Office of Communications photography intern Sophia Sahni '28 explored culture and community during her spring foreign study program in France.
Paris is a city for people. From the many parks and efficient public transportation system to the renowned monuments and museums, human connection is abundant. Despite being thousands of miles from Dartmouth’s campus, I found community everywhere.
Professor of French and Comparative Literature David LaGuardia and Taiki Takahashi '28 enjoy a conversation in one of the many green spots across the city.
I lived with a host family near Rue Daguerre, a vibrant commercial street with open stalls and fresh produce. Frequenting the street almost every day, I became friends with many of the shopkeepers and regular customers. Immersed in the community, I enjoyed the opportunity to practice my French with people like Phillipe of Fromagerie Androuet.
Our cohort explored Europe’s largest Chinatown, located in the heart of Paris' 13th Arrondissement. This neighborhood, known for Les Olympiades—a distinct assortment of concrete skyscrapers—is a multicultural hub for the many Asian immigrants in the city.
Parisians find any spot—whether on the bank of a canal, on a doorstep, or on a sidewalk bench—to spend time with others. There is a value in slowing down, being outside, and truly enjoying connection as the city passes you by. The art of just being.
Studying abroad in a city means spending a good portion of your day on the train. Surrounded by strangers, and with no cell service, I found myself appreciating the distinct hums of each Paris route as I doodled or people-watched. Pictured, Kristina Evans '28 after descending the Métro.
An oasis amidst the city hustle: the backstreets of Montmartre. This artistic quarter was once home to Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.
Throughout my study abroad, I would cook affordable meals—particularly for unhoused individuals at La Petite Rockette, a community-based nonprofit and resource center in Paris. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow volunteers as we would peel and prepare ingredients for the day’s meal.
During a weekend trip to the sea-side town of Étretat, students enjoyed the beautiful nature of French countryside. During the day we hiked the stunning cliffs, and at night enjoyed some coastal jazz.
After class, I would leave our language school at Reid Hall, and stroll to the nearby Luxembourg Gardens. One day while stopping to watch people play the classic French game Pétanque, a kind old man asked if I was interested in learning. Enjoying the rhythm of the game and the banter of the group, I found myself often returning to play in this terrain.
Once a week, French professor Raphael Sigal would lead a field trip revealing a side of Paris "beyond just the Eiffel Tower, baguettes, and berets." We became aware of the various layers of this city, exploring the Arab World Institute, the Museum of Jewish Art and History, and the rich cultural history of the Marais district.
As a cohort, we spent a night learning about a staple of French culture: wine. Over charcuterie boards and under the guidance of a local sommelier, we learned how to analyze and distinguish regional French wines from one another. Pictured, a pensive Willa Long '28.
Paris has so much to offer at night. As a cohort we attended a ballet at the Opéra Bastille and an orchestral performance at the Paris Philharmonic. After leaving these shows, I loved walking the streets and seeing shopkeepers preparing their stock for the next day and people still enjoying each other's company on restaurant terraces.
In Belleville, a neighborhood known for its bright and bold street art, Liam O’Neill ’28 appreciates a colorful open-air amphitheater.
I enjoyed a local watch party for the 2026 UEFA Champions League final, where Paris Saint-Germain took home the win. During a tense round of penalties, a crowd celebrates as Paris defeated Arsenal in a 4-3 penalty shootout. That night, the streets were flooded with fireworks and dancing Parisians.
Walking in the Grand Mosque of Paris, we explored the lively gardens, the ornate mosaics, and the 33-meter-high minaret.
We were always learning on the move. This city became our classroom.
Every Sunday, rain or shine, Parisians danced along the River Seine. The environment was warm and welcoming; you could not help yourself from falling into a groove. Rachel Schneider '28 and Tobin Jacoby '28 join in.
Sonder: the breakthrough revelation that each and every person around you is living a life just as colorful and nuanced as your own. In Paris, I was constantly reminded that I am a part of something bigger than myself.