Erasmus Paris 2019 – 20

( Eifell Tower from Trocaderò )

For my third Erasmus experience, I chose Paris – Nanterre Université, where I spent the first semester of my master’s degree. I had actually applied earlier, during the final year of my bachelor’s program in February 2019, already planning ahead for what I hoped would be another amazing chapter abroad. After officially graduating on September 19th, 2019, I didn’t waste any time. Just three days later, on September 22nd, I boarded a train and made the big move to Paris—a city full of charm, energy, and endless possibilities. It felt like the perfect place to begin this new academic and personal journey.

DAY 1 – Sunday 22.09.2019

( Res d’hippo, Gare de Lyon )

My first day in Paris wasn’t exactly easy—it was a bit overwhelming, to be honest. I arrived at Gare de Lyon around 2 PM, completely loaded with luggage. After grabbing a quick lunch at Res d’hippo at the station, I made my way to the apartment of my friend Lindsay, whom I had met during my Erasmus in Trier, Germany. Since the CROUS student residence was closed on Sundays, she kindly offered to host me for the night. That evening, we had a cozy dinner at her place, and I stayed over—grateful to have a friendly face around on my first day in a new city.

FIRST WEEK IN PARIS 23.09 to 30.09

Monday, I woke up early. Lindsay left for work, and I headed to Nanterre Université to start handling all the administrative tasks. At the Erasmus office, I completed the necessary documents, and finally, I received the key to my room in the student residence—Building H. I rested for a bit in my new (still very empty) room, then went back to Lindsay’s place for dinner one last time. After we ate, I called an Uber, packed up all my luggage once again, and officially moved into my room at the residence. Tuesday was pretty uneventful but necessary—more paperwork at the university, a trip to the supermarket, and slowly starting to organize my new space. Honestly, I was still tired from the move, so I took it easy and tried to settle in as best as I could. Wednesday morning was, once again, dedicated to sorting out university paperwork—Erasmus life isn’t all glamour at the start! In the afternoon, I finally took some time for myself and visited the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The last time I had been in Paris, back in 2017 with my ex-boyfriend, we had tried to go but it was closed. So this time, I made sure to go alone—and I’m so glad I did. The building itself is stunning, and the exhibitions were genuinely impressive. I really enjoyed the experience. That evening, we had an international dinner at the residence, where everyone brought dishes from their home countries. It was such a fun and cozy way to meet new people and share cultures. Thursday was another day filled with admin at the university—still no classes, just forms and more forms. But the night brought a bit of excitement again, as I went out to a club near Porte de Maillot with a promoter. It was a fun night out with a mix of new people and good music. On Friday, I had a lovely reunion with Selvaggia, an Italian friend I had met during my Erasmus in Riga. We met for a caffè in Les Halles, and it was so nice to catch up and share how our lives had changed since then. Later that evening, I went out once more—this time to The Key Paris, another club, with the same promoter and a few of the girls from the night before. It was the perfect end to a busy but exciting week.Saturday after lunch, I headed to the Louvre Museum to meet up with Tiph, another close friend from my Erasmus in Trier, Germany (just like Lindsay!). It was so heartwarming to see her again after so long—we picked up right where we left off. That day, Paris was hosting the Techno Parade, and of course, we had to go! We did some fun makeup, grabbed drinks, and joined the crowds dancing and celebrating in the streets. The energy was wild and the vibe was pure freedom—it felt like the real Paris experience. In the evening, we went back to Tiph’s apartment for dinner, and later that night, we all went to a concert at the Hippodrome d’Auteuil with one of her French friends. It was such a fun, spontaneous night—music, lights, and laughter in the cool Parisian air. On Sunday, I took things a bit slower. I rested during the day (definitely needed it), and in the evening I met up with Amal, a Parisian friend and former colleague from our time working together at Quilon Restaurant in London. We had dinner together in the Grands Boulevards area and later stopped for a few drinks at O’Sullivans, a lively Irish pub. It was so nice to reconnect and share how our lives had evolved since London.

SECOND WEEK IN PARIS 30.09 to 07.10

The start of the week was pretty relaxed—finally! After all the energy and running around from the week before, I took Monday easy with some classes and much-needed chill time. On Tuesday, I teamed up with Sofia, an Italian girl who lives just one floor above me in the residence, and we hosted another international dinner in our building. This time, we cooked a big pot of pasta (of course!) and shared it with some of the other students. These dinners were quickly becoming my favorite part of residence life—so many laughs, stories, and different cultures around one table. On Wednesday evening, I had a lovely meet-up with Nora, a friend from Latvia who’s originally from Paris. We grabbed a glass of wine at the Intercontinental Hotel, which had such a chic, cozy vibe. It was really special to see her again and catch up in her hometown. Friday night was… well, a bit of an adventure. I felt like going out and dancing, but no one else seemed in the mood. So I made a spontaneous decision to go on a Tinder date. We met at VIP ROOM, a well-known club in Paris. The club itself was cool, but the date? Not so much. Let’s just say I drank a little too much, the vibes were off, and by around 4 AM, I called an Uber and went home. Definitely not my best night—but hey, it’s all part of the story. The day after the VIP Room party was rough. I was seriously hungover—felt borderline sick, to be honest. I spent most of the day in bed, barely functioning, just trying to recover from the night before. By the evening, I was feeling slightly more human, so I decided to rally and head out with Sofia, Polina, and Lulu—the girls from my residence. We went to a house party hosted by one of Sofia’s friends, and later ended up at a party called Taki Taki, dancing and laughing the night away. But I have to admit, I was still totally destroyed from Friday night, so I was definitely not at my best! Sunday? Completely useless. I slept basically all day and didn’t even pretend to be productive. But hey—that’s part of the balance, right?

THIRD WEEK IN PARIS 07.10 to 14.10

Monday was a quiet day—just university and a trip to the supermarket. During that time in Paris, I was watching a lot of Netflix in French—TV series especially—as a way to improve my language skills. Honestly, it was such a helpful (and fun) method to get into the rhythm of the language. Tuesday was more of the same during the day attending classes at the university, but in the evening, Sofia and I hosted our usual International Dinner in the kitchen of Building H. It’s one of my favorite parts of the week—sharing food and stories with people from all over. On Wednesday night, I decided to go out alone, something I used to do often during my summer in London. I started doing the same in Paris—messaging promoters for free entries and drinks at some of the best nightclubs in the city. It was actually a fun solo adventure! I was also casually looking for a hostess job at the time to maybe make some extra money. That night, I went to Tam Tam, a vibrant Brazilian event—so much music and energy! Thursday was sunny and perfect for a chill day in La Défense with Sofia. Later, I met Tiph in Montmartre, and we wandered through the charming streets. In Pigalle, we met up with Lindsay, and the three of us had dinner together. It felt like being back in Germany again, all reunited where we first met—such a warm, nostalgic moment. Friday was a solo kind of day again. I walked around the Arc de Triomphe area in the noon, took some photos, and did a bit of groceries at La Défense. For dinner, I went by myself to Villa Foch, a super chic and fancy restaurant, then ended up at L’Arc Club, again meeting random people and just vibing—thanks to the promoters, everything was free once again. Saturday evening was all about The Key Paris, where I went for the Monsieur Cirque event. It was such a fun, vibrant night—I really enjoyed myself, dancing and soaking in the unique atmosphere again thanks to the promoters. Then came Sunday, my classic chill day recovery from the weekend. In the evening, before dinner, I met up with Jeanne, my former French roommate from Riga, who’s now living in Paris for her studies. It was so lovely to reconnect and catch up in a whole new city.

FOURTH WEEK IN PARIS 14.10 to 21.10

Monday was a typical chill day—just university and some time to rest. Nothing too exciting, but sometimes those low-key days are necessary, especially after a packed weekend. On Tuesday, we had our now-traditional International Dinner, organized by Sofia and me in the second-floor kitchen of Building H, our residence. It’s always such a nice way to bring people together. Good food, good laughs, and people from all over the world! Wednesday was more active—I officially started my boxing class here at Nanterre University! The campus is amazing when it comes to sports: there’s a gym, swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a football field. Most of the activities are free, which makes it really easy to stay active here like an American college. Thursday was a bit of a mixed bag. I went to get lash extensions, but sadly… it was a total fail. Bad quality and way too expensive. Not my best beauty moment! At least the day ended better—I went out to Cova Club in the evening, which was a lot of fun. Friday was more practical: Sofia and I went to the bank to sort things out for our CAF application (housing assistance for foreign students). Later, I had an interview at a babysitting agency, but it turned out to be pretty complicated since I don’t speak French fluently yet. After that, I treated myself to a solo walk around the Trocadéro area, took some pictures, and then just had a cozy evening at home to unwind. Saturday was the highlight of the week—a day trip to the Champagne region, specifically to Reims, organised by the ESN. A group of us from the residence and other students took the bus from Nation which it was the meeting point at 8 AM. Once we arrived, we visited the stunning Cathedral, had some free time to explore the town, and then grabbed lunch at a Mexican taco spot (because why not mix cultures, right?). In the afternoon, we headed to the Champagne house “Boulard Bauquaire”, where we toured the production site and had a Champagne tasting—such a fun and unique experience! We got back to Paris around 8 PM and wrapped up the day with a chill night at the residence, having drinks with Polina, my Russian friend living in the same residence. Sunday was exactly what it needed to be: a full rest day. I stayed home, recharged, and took it easy before starting a new week.

FIFTH WEEK IN PARIS 21.10 to 28.10

Monday was a chill one. Just university and homework—yes, even with all the fun and exploring, I still had a ton to study! Then came Tuesday, October 22nd—almost a full month since I moved to Paris. To mark the occasion (kind of unintentionally), I went out for drinks and dinner after class with my French crush. She chose Bianco, a lovely restaurant tucked away in Rue Montorgueil. Honestly, it turned out to be one of the best first dates I’ve ever had. When I arrived, she had already ordered a bottle of wine—the one she had asked me about beforehand. So thoughtful. Everything felt a bit like a fairy tale. I made it home just in time, catching the last RER of the night, heart full. On Wednesday, after boxing class, Tiph came over to my residence for dinner. She finally met Sofia, Polina, and Lulu, which was so nice! Unfortunately, she had to leave early because of work the next day. The rest of us decided to go out to Café Oz in Châtelet, a typical Erasmus club. Not the best music or vibe, but we still managed to have fun dancing and laughing together. Friday was pretty chill. I took some time to rest during the day and in the evening, we went to a buffet for Erasmus students at the university. After that, we went to the circus tent just behind our building, where there was a card game performance happening. Interesting to watch, but not super exciting. We ended the night early and just went home. Saturday was one of those perfect Paris days. After lunch, Sofia, Polina, and I decided to do a photo shoot around the city. Our first stop was the Galeries Lafayette rooftop—the view was incredible. Then we headed to the Louvre, snapping some pics outside the iconic glass pyramid, and ended the shoot at Trocadéro, soaking up the Eiffel Tower vibes. We treated ourselves to an aperitif at Trocadéro Café, sipping wine and watching the tower sparkle. Pure magic. Later that evening, I rushed home for a quick shower, then headed out again to meet my French crush. She invited me to a house party at her best friend’s place, and afterwards, we went back to her home in Saint-Mandé, which is literally on the opposite side of Paris from where I live. Totally worth the trip though. Sunday was slow and sweet. We woke up together, went to the supermarket, made lunch, watched some TV series, and she even gave me a little French lesson (I’m trying, okay? ). We cooked dinner together and just spent the entire day at home—eating, drinking wine, talking, relaxing. It was such a cozy, intimate day. I ended up staying there again Sunday night, and honestly? It felt just right.

SIXTH WEEK IN PARIS 28.10 to 04.11

(Sunday 3th of November me, Lindsay and Tiph at Dehors Brut at concert of Nina Kraviz)

It all started pretty chaotically—I woke up next to my beautiful French crush, and while she had a few things to do, I headed home, took a much-needed shower, and tried to recover after a heavy week of partying and too much alcohol. Later that afternoon, around 3 PM, I met Selvaggia at a bar near the Louvre and we ended up at Café Palais Royal, drinking wine and enjoying the afternoon together. After that, I went back to my French crush’s place and we spent our third night in a row together. The next morning, Tuesday, I left her apartment early to meet Sofia at the bank to finally get my credit card sorted, and then later that day we met up with Polina and went to the Tuileries Garden to enjoy the gorgeous autumn Parisian atmosphere. Since we were on holiday and didn’t have any classes, we treated ourselves to hot chocolate at a cozy café, then headed back home where I took a much-needed nap. On Wednesday, I decided to officially end things with my French crush—things were getting too intense and complicated—so I had dinner with Polina and later went out to Matignon with a promoter for a fun night out, which ended in a random but beautiful apartment in the center of Paris at an after-party that went on until morning. Thursday was Halloween and I had plans to go clubbing with Nora, but I was too tired, so instead I went to her place and we had a lovely chilled evening, drinking wine and chatting. On Friday, I stayed home all day to relax and recover again, then in the evening went out for another date at Boum Boum Club where they were hosting a Halloween party—it was super fun and we danced all night. Saturday was quieter, I stayed in trying to focus on some university work and get back on track with my studies. Then came Sunday, which was the perfect way to wrap up the week: I went to see Nina Kraviz live for the third time, this time at Dehors Brut with Lindsay and Tiph. We didn’t drink too much since we all had obligations the next day, but her set was incredible as always, and the atmosphere was just electric. Honestly, it was one of those weeks that captures everything I love (and sometimes hate) about life in Paris—intense, emotional, chaotic, but also so full of magic.

SEVENTH WEEK IN PARIS 04.11 to 11.11

Totally drained from the previous week, I started this one with zero energy—physically wrecked and definitely not ready to face a new round of classes and boxing. But hey, I had to pull myself together and just do it. On top of that, I was still dealing with a bunch of admin chaos at the university, trying to figure out which subjects from here would actually be validated back home and which ones wouldn’t. The uncertainty wasn’t helping my already messy mood. Emotionally, I was still low-key bruised from the whole French crush situation two weeks ago… but new week, new energy, and obviously, new crush potential—always! By Thursday night, after classes and boxing, I decided I deserved a bit of fun and went on a date, hoping for a spark. Unfortunately, it wasn’t anything special—but it was still a decent night out. The next morning, I woke up at her place in Le Marais and took a walk around the area before heading back home. I spent the rest of the day studying French, and in the evening, I just chilled in the residence with Polina and Sofia—exactly what I needed. Saturday was mostly dedicated to studying again, and later that evening we had a little pre-drinks session in the residence before heading out to L’Aquarium, a really cool club all together. The night was wild—we danced, we laughed, and, of course, we drank way too much. So naturally, Sunday was recovery mode. I was completely useless thanks to the hangover, so I stayed in the residence all day, had dinner with Polina, and ended the weekend curled up with hot tea. Classic.

EIGHT WEEK IN PARIS 11.11 to 18.11

The week kicked off with a national holiday—November 11th, marking the end of the First World War. I took advantage of the slow morning to sleep in a bit, got some homework done, and then headed into the city around noon. I wandered through the Châtelet and Le Marais area, and eventually made my way to Notre-Dame, which I hadn’t actually seen since arriving in Paris. After a peaceful solo stroll, I stopped by the supermarket and headed back home. Tuesday was low-key, mostly spent working on group projects at the university. We even filmed a short video in La Défense for one of our assignments. That evening, we hosted another international dinner in the residence—a classic Erasmus night, full of laughs, food from different countries, and good vibes. Wednesday and Thursday passed in a bit of a blur—just university things and boxing classes keeping me busy. But Thursday evening brought a little spark: I went out for a Tinder date in Rue Montorgueil. It turned out to be a really nice encounter, and as usual during my Parisian dates, we ended up chatting with random strangers and having one of those quirky, spontaneous nights that only seem to happen in this city. On Friday, I finally wrapped up the university projects with my classmates. After that, I went all the way across town to Primark (worth the trek), and later we had dinner all together in the residence. There was a party afterward, but honestly, it was kind of dull. So Polina and I decided to head to The Key Paris, which is a really nice club—but unfortunately, Friday nights are afro-house music and it wasn’t really our vibe. So we tried Duplex instead, but since it was late, the entry was overpriced and the atmosphere wasn’t great either. In the end, we just called it a night and went home. Saturday was one of those classic hangover days—lots of chilling, water, and nothing too ambitious. In the evening, Polina and I cooked dinner together and spent some time chatting in the kitchen, which was the perfect slow pace. Sunday brought something special: I met up with Diletta, a classmate from my high school art days in Asti. We grabbed a coffee and caught up a bit, and then later I met up with Selvaggia, who introduced me to her boyfriend and one of his friends. The four of us ended up going out for pizza at O’scià, a Neapolitan restaurant, which felt like a little taste of home. Then it was back to the residence for some well-earned rest.

NINTH WEEK IN PARIS 18.11 to 22.11

Monday was absolutely packed—probably one of the busiest days since the semester started. With exams just around the corner, it felt like everyone was in full study mode, and I ended up spending the entire day at the university bouncing between lectures and trying to keep up with everything. Thankfully, Tuesday was a bit more relaxed. After a calmer day, we ended the evening on a cozy note with our friend Lulú, who treated us to some homemade Taiwanese food. It was honestly amazing—comforting, flavorful, and just what we needed in the middle of the week. On Wednesday, it was celebration time! We gathered to celebrate Sofia’s birthday, starting the night at Scilicet, a fun and lively bar. Later, we continued the party at a bar/club near Châtelet, which had a cool gay-friendly vibe and the kind of music that keeps you dancing for hours. We didn’t make it home until around 4 AM—but hey, worth it. Thursday was back to business. I managed to drag myself to class, spent the rest of the day studying, and started getting everything ready for our upcoming trip to Zurich.

WEEK END IN ZURICH 

After two full months of living in Paris, I felt like I needed a little break from the city’s chaos—and what better excuse than a romantic weekend getaway? I planned the trip with a girl I met on Her, the lesbian dating app, and we actually decided to meet for the first time directly in Zurich. Bold move, I know—but sometimes the best adventures start just like that.

DAY 1 – Friday 22.11.2019

( Swiss Star Anwand Lodges )

( Zürich Old Town )

I woke up at 6 AM, finished packing my luggage, and caught the RER to Gare de Lyon. My train left at 7:23 AM and by 11:26 I was in Zurich, buzzing with excitement. Waiting at the station was my date—we had only chatted online before, but as soon as I saw her, I was relieved (and a little thrilled) to see she looked just like in her photos. She’s really pretty, and there was already a spark. I had brought her a croissant from Paris as a little gesture—it felt like a nice way to break the ice and add a tiny piece of Paris to our Zurich weekend. We dropped off our luggage at the Airbnb and headed straight out to explore Zurich’s Old Town. The city was wrapped in that cozy, wintery charm, and walking through the cobbled streets together felt almost surreal. For lunch, we stopped at a Steakhouse Old Town Restaurant, then wandered through the Christmas markets. The one at the Opera House was especially magical—you could really feel the holiday spirit in the air. We warmed up with hot chocolate at the Fondue Chalet, which felt like the perfect Swiss cliché in the best way possible. As the sun set, we strolled back to the Airbnb, where we spent a quiet, cozy night in. Simple, sweet, and honestly kind of perfect.

DAY 2 – Saturday 23.11.2019

( Swiss Star Anwand Lodges, Zurich )

The next morning, we took it slow, enjoying a quiet start and lingering in the apartment for a while. It was one of those slow, cozy mornings where time doesn’t feel rushed—which, honestly, felt perfect after all the walking the day before. We finally headed out around lunchtime and grabbed burgers at Brooklyn Hamburgueria, a cool spot with a casual vibe and seriously good food. After lunch, we continued exploring the city, wandering through more Christmas markets and checking out the shops. Zurich during the holidays has this peaceful charm—twinkling lights, festive decorations, and that crisp winter air. At some point, we stopped again for hot chocolate (because why not?), soaking in the atmosphere and just enjoying the moment. Later, we headed back to the apartment to relax, unwind, and just be. No plans, no pressure—just the two of us hanging out, talking, and enjoying each other’s company. We ended the evening with a cozy dinner in the apartment, ordering some Asian food and staying in. A perfect mix of exploring and recharging.

DAY 3 – Sunday 24.11.2019

( Swiss Star Anwand Lodges, Zurich )

She left very early in the morning to catch her train back to Italy for work, and I stayed wrapped in the quiet that always follows a goodbye. I got up around 10 AM, packed my things, and by 11 I was out of the apartment. I took one last stroll through Zurich’s old town, trying to hold on to the peaceful atmosphere a little longer—snapping photos, breathing in the crisp air, and letting the city leave its final mark on me. Eventually, I made my way to the train station and headed toward the airport. My flight back to Paris Charles de Gaulle was at 6:30 PM, and just like that, the weekend was over. Short and sweet, filled with festive lights, new memories, and the kind of unexpected connection that makes travel feel magical.

TENTH WEEK IN PARIS 25.11 to 02.12

Monday was just awful—exams and a presentation back-to-back completely drained me. I needed a breather, so Tuesday was all about chilling and recovering from that chaos. Wednesday brought some normalcy again with lessons and my usual boxing class. Thursday kicked off with yet another exam in the morning, followed by boxing in the afternoon, and then in the evening we headed to La Bassecour, the university bar, where there was a hip hop night. The vibe was great—everyone from the hip hop course was dancing, and it felt like the perfect way to shake off the academic stress. On Friday I stayed home during the day to study, but the night took a wild turn. I went over to a friend of Tiphaine’s for drinks—Lindsay joined us too—and around midnight we headed out to T7 to see Charlotte de Witte play. Her set was amazing, pure energy all night, and I didn’t make it back home until 7 AM. Saturday was a recovery day, obviously—completely wiped out from the night before. Then came Sunday, when I really should have been studying, but instead, I went out again with Tiphaine and Lindsay to the Salon de Vins for some wine tasting. I also got to meet Tiph’s boyfriend, and unexpectedly, we ended up participating in a TV program about sports at the France Télévisions studios—random but so fun. Honestly, it was one of those weeks that felt like a blur of stress, dancing, good wine, and unexpected surprises.

ELEVEN WEEK IN PARIS 02.12 to 06.12

Monday was horrible—two exams in the morning completely drained me. But I tried to shift the mood afterward by meeting up with Sofia and Polina for lunch. Later in the afternoon, I went to visit the Christmas market at the Tuileries Garden with Polina. We shared a warm glass of wine, soaking in the festive Parisian vibes. Then, around 6 PM, I met up with Nora and we went to the Ritz Paris—my first time there, and honestly, it was absolutely stunning. We had an aperitif, surrounded by elegance and Christmas lights, and it felt like stepping into another world. After that, I headed home for the night. The next couple of days, Tuesday and Wednesday, were all about exams again—just non-stop university stress and studying. Then Thursday came, and with it, the big strike. Everything was shut down, lessons were cancelled, and moving around the city was nearly impossible. So instead, Polina, Sofia, Lulu, and I decided to walk to the Christmas market at La Défense. It was a long walk, but the market was beautiful and so worth it. We drank hot chocolate and mulled wine, taking in all the lights and festive stalls, and then headed back home for dinner together and a cozy Christmas movie night.

Strasbourg & Colmar with the ESN Paris

( Colmar during the Christmas atmosphere )

Day 1 – Friday 06.12.2019

( Night at: on the bus travelling )

I spent the whole day at home, just relaxing and slowly preparing my luggage for the upcoming trip. It felt good to have a calm moment before the adventure kicked off. Around 11 PM, Sofia and I took an Uber to the meeting point, then jumped on Metro Line 1 to Nation, where we met up with the rest of the group—students from different universities, all buzzing with the same anticipation. The atmosphere was electric, everyone excited for the days ahead. We boarded the bus and spent the night on the road, and even though sleeping on a bus isn’t the comfiest thing ever, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of happiness and excitement wash over me. A new trip was starting, and I was so ready for it.

Day 2 – Saturday 07.12.2019

( Night at: Auberge de Jeunesse, Colmar )

We arrived in Colmar around 8 AM, checked into our hostel, and started the day with a warm breakfast to fuel up before exploring. The city was already glowing with festive vibes—cobblestone streets lined with lights and wooden market stalls. We kicked things off with a walking tour, stopping first at the stunning cathedral before making our way through the various Christmas markets scattered around the city. For lunch, Sofia and I took a cozy break at Le Fleur de Sel, where we tried some delicious local Alsatian dishes. In the afternoon, the others went ice skating while I enjoyed just soaking up the magical atmosphere. On the way back to the hostel, we grabbed a few things for dinner and had a relaxed meal all together. Later that night, we pre-gamed in one of the bedrooms with the rest of the group, laughing and dancing before heading out to Nova Club Colmar, where we partied into the early hours. It felt like the perfect mix of festive charm and student chaos—a night to remember.

Day 3 – Sunday 08.12.2019

We woke up around 8:30 AM, grabbed breakfast, and then hopped on the bus together to head to Strasbourg for the day. The city was absolutely glowing with festive energy—Christmas markets were everywhere, each one more charming than the last. Even though I had visited Strasbourg back in spring 2016 during my first Erasmus in Germany, coming back during the holiday season gave the city a whole new magical feel. For lunch, Sofia and I found this cozy spot called Le Thomasien, a really great place with good prices and warm vibes—perfect for escaping the winter chill for a bit. Around 4 PM, we all boarded the bus again and made our way back to Paris. We arrived around 10:30 PM in Nation, took Metro Line 1 to La Défense, and then grabbed an Uber to get home. It was a long but beautiful day, full of festive spirit and nostalgia—there’s really nothing like the Alsace region during Christmas.

TWELVE WEEK IN PARIS 08.12 to 16.12

Monday was a quiet start to the week—I stayed home, rested, and squeezed in a bit of studying. On Tuesday, we stepped back into the holiday magic. Around noon, we headed to Galeries Lafayette to admire the stunning Christmas displays, and later took a walk down the Champs-Élysées to soak in the festive atmosphere, which felt straight out of a holiday postcard. Wednesday was a balance of productivity and fun—I spent the morning at the university, then relaxed in the afternoon, and after dinner, we joined a beer pong night on campus which was such a fun way to wind down with everyone. Thursday was back to the grind, just me and my books all day. Friday brought some of my favorite Parisian indulgences. After lunch, I met up with Selvaggia at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli—still one of my all-time favorite spots for breakfast or tea in Paris. In the evening, Nora and I treated ourselves to drinks at the iconic Four Seasons Hotel, and later hit up Boum Boum with the promoters for another lively night out. As if that wasn’t enough, on Saturday, I went partying again—this time to The Bridge Club with some friends from the residence. Needless to say, by Sunday I was totally wrecked, so I spent the day resting and recovering. The holiday spirit is officially in the air, and Paris feels more magical than ever.

LAST WEEK IN PARIS 16.12 to 19.12

Monday was my farewell tour of Paris—solo and sentimental. I started at the Tuileries Garden, stepping out of the metro and soaking in that classic Parisian beauty one last time. From there, I wandered all the way to Pigalle, where I stopped for brunch, then continued up to Montmartre to take in the views and the charm of the neighborhood. After retracing my steps back to Pigalle, I finally made my way home. That evening, we had a cozy dinner at the residence with everyone, our little way of saying goodbye before scattering for the holidays. On Tuesday, I spent the afternoon and evening with my friend Selvaggia. She made us pasta and we spent hours just talking, catching up, and enjoying each other’s company. Since it was strike time in Paris and public transport was a mess—not to mention she lives pretty far out—I stayed over at her place to avoid wandering the streets alone late at night. Wednesday was all about one last festive outing—I went with Sofia to the Christmas Market in Bois de Boulogne. We drank wine and, of course, my winter favorite: vin chaud (hot wine). When we got back, we had our final group dinner in the residence kitchen, laughing and reminiscing about all the chaos and magic we’d shared. Thursday was spent cleaning, organizing, and packing everything for the trip home. Around 6 PM, I took the RER to Charles de Gaulle Airport for my 9 PM flight—delayed, of course (classic). When I landed at Malpensa, my mom and my aunt Mary were there waiting for me. I spent the entire holiday season at home in Italy, from December 19th until January 23rd, celebrating Christmas, reconnecting with family, and staying a bit longer to celebrate my mom’s birthday.

PARIS IN JANUARY 2020

FIRST WEEK BACK IN PARIS 23.01 to 27.01

( Eiffell tower by night )

On Thursday — the day after spending Wednesday with Jasmine in Turin — I took the train to Milan and went to my friend Jacopo’s place. In the evening, Ilaria arrived; we spent the night there, and on Thursday morning, we took a flight together to Paris, as she was coming to visit me. By 1 PM we were already at Malpensa Airport, ready to fly. We arrived at my place pretty early, even though it takes about an hour by metro from Charles de Gaulle Airport. That evening, we had dinner together at home, where she met my flatmates, and later we went out with Polina to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night — always stunning. After that, we went back home to sleep. On Friday, we woke up early and went to Montmartre — me, Ilaria, and Polina. We passed by the Wall of Love, stopped in a little square to eat and drink something, and then headed over to the Louvre, just to see it from the outside. Before going home, we made a stop at La Défense to buy some wine for the night. Back at the apartment, we had dinner all together, but we didn’t go out because we were too tired. On Saturday morning, Ilaria and I woke up early again and went to visit the Palace of Versailles, which is less than an hour from where I live. I absolutely love that place — I had been there once before with my ex-boyfriend back in April 2017, so it felt special to return. After we got back home, we had dinner all together at the residence and then went out to the “Get to Know Each Other” Erasmus party for second-semester students at Scilicet. It was fun, we had a few drinks and a good time. Later, around midnight, we decided to go to Subsonica Club, but I didn’t really like it, so we left almost immediately and took the bus back home. On Sunday, we woke up late, had lunch at home, and then went to the Eiffel Tower to enjoy the city atmosphere and take some pictures. Later, for sunset, we went up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, which has an amazing view. After that, we walked a bit along the Champs-Élysées until we got to the metro stop that took us to La Felicità restaurant, where we had dinner all together — me, Ilaria, Sofia, Alice, and Polina — and then we all went back home together.

SECOND WEEK IN PARIS 27.01 to 03.02

On Monday, Ilaria and I woke up early, around 9 AM, and went to visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. We walked around the area and eventually made our way to the Tuileries Garden. From there, we continued to La Galerie Lafayette, where we explored the entire place — it was way too cold to stay outside. We met up with Selvaggia for a coffee there, then headed back home. In the evening, we had dinner and some pre-drinks all together at the residence, just like we used to do back in the autumn. Around 1 AM, we went to bed. On Tuesday, I left with Ilaria around 9 AM and accompanied her to Châtelet metro stop, where she took the train to Charles de Gaulle Airport. I went to the supermarket, did some laundry, and took care of a few university documents. Later we said goodbye to Polina, who was leaving Paris. In the evening, Sofia and I went out for a drink to celebrate Alice’s birthday again, and we got back home with the last train. On Wednesday, I woke up late — I was still tired from all the recent traveling and city exploring. I met Lindsay and Tiph for lunch, then went to Gare de Lyon, where just behind it is Rue Crémieux — a beautiful, colorful, super Instagrammable street. Before going back home, I made a quick stop at the Eiffel Tower to take a few photos, and then returned for dinner and sleep. On Thursday, I woke up kind of late again and went out for lunch with Jeanne, my French former roommate from when I was living in Riga. We met in Pigalle, had lunch at a restaurant there, and then went to Gare Saint-Lazare together. I came back home, got ready, and in the evening I had dinner with Nora at the Shangri-La Hotel. I made it back home just before the metro closed. On Friday, I spent the morning at home cleaning everything, went to the supermarket, and prepared for Jasmine’s arrival. At 7 PM I took the train to Charles de Gaulle and arrived just in time to see her walk out from the arrival gates. We took the train back home, cooked something simple for dinner, and went to bed fairly early. On Saturday, we woke up at 7:30 AM and headed to Disneyland. We spent the whole day there trying all the attractions — I’m not a big Disney fan ( I haven’t even seen most of the movies ), but I actually really enjoyed it and had a great time, probably thanks to Jasmine and the great energy she brought with her. Around 8 PM we watched the fireworks show at Disneyland, and afterward we took the metro home, cooked a quick dinner, and went straight to bed. On Sunday, we slept in a bit, also because of the rainy weather. We went out for lunch and grabbed a sandwich at Paul inside Gare Saint-Lazare, then headed to Montmartre to enjoy the area. We had a hot tea in the main square, and later decided to visit the Eiffel Tower, even though it was raining heavily and we were totally soaked. In the end, we found a lovely place for dinner called Café de Trocadéro — probably one of the most romantic dinners I’ve ever had, right in front of the Tower. After dinner, we went home, packed the last things, and went to bed.

DAY 12 – Monday 03.02.2020

On Monday morning, our last day in Paris, we woke up pretty early to clean the bedroom where I had been living, and then I officially checked out of the CROUS Residence at Nanterre Université. Before leaving, Jasmine, Sofia, and I had one last lunch together at the residence. Afterwards, we headed to Gare de Lyon to catch our train — it was scheduled for 14:38. Unfortunately, we missed it in the most ridiculous way, simply because we weren’t paying attention to the timetable. That meant we couldn’t go directly to Turin as planned. Instead, we took another train to Lyon and from there a Flixbus to Turin, where Jasmine’s dad came to pick us up at 00:35. I spent the night at her house, and the next morning, before she left for work, she dropped me off at the train station in Turin. Later, my mum came to pick me up from Vercelli station.