The Joys of Walking Paris

Do you remember the first time you walked around the 7th arrondissement? How did it feel to immerse yourself in a new culture and experience a different way of living? By traversing Paris on foot, you develop a closer connection to French society and a more meaningful sense of self. For AUP students, the city also becomes a living campus – an extension of the classroom that gives students the chance to apply learned theory in real-world contexts.

“I love learning about the history of Paris,” says Merrick Sanford, a visiting student from The George Washington University in Washington DC. Merrick is Co-Chair of the Walking Around Paris club, a social group that encourages fellow students to learn about the history of the local areas by exploring them together on foot. The group meets up once a week during Fall and Spring semesters, choosing a different arrondissement to explore each time.

AUP Students walking around Paris during the Fall semester

This year’s trips have taken students to Montmartre and the Tuileries Garden Christmas market. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions about the history of the area as well as about their fellow walkers, combining a social activity with continued academic discovery.

“We’re a very relaxed, open club,” says Merrick. “I’ve made friends with people from different backgrounds.”

If the Walking Around Paris club has made you want to relive your days meandering the Parisian streets, then get in touch with alumni relations to organize a free campus tour.

Are you in Paris soon? Write to alumni@aup.edu and let us know!