THE QUARTIER OF OUR FOUNDING The purchase of a ten-story building in the heart of the 7th arrondissement allowed The American University of Paris to secure the site of its longproposed learning commons, while also reinforcing its commitment to staying in the quartier of its founding. Providing a new vantage point on the banks of the Seine, the Quai d’Orsay Learning Commons is an important reaffirmation of AUP’s dedication to its integrated urban campus. It means that the University can continue offering unique opportunities for cultural immersion and experiential learning to students and faculty alike. Rachida Dati was first elected mayor of the 7th in 2008 and has since overseen an arrondissement in constant transformation: “Ours is a vibrant and lively neighborhood that showcases France’s history, traditions and values through multiple historical monuments – including the famous Eiffel Tower – as well as many important institutions of the French Republic.” She believes
that the area’s dense array of small businesses, from gourmet grocery stores to internationally recognized restaurants, also plays a vital role in community life.
opportunities for students to extend their education beyond the classroom with experiential learning initiatives.
By integrating its buildings seamlessly into the urban environment, instead of sequestering itself on a more traditional campus outside of the city, AUP provides a unique opportunity for students to experience Parisian life, even when moving between buildings on campus. “The arrondissement offers students a unique quality of life and, in return, they contribute to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the neighborhood,” says Dati. “They also benefit from the diverse social and cultural activities organized by the arrondissement.” The dynamic local culture is boosted by the presence of prestigious museums and cultural centers, which provide ample
As one of a host of international institutions that call the 7th home, AUP is representative of both the area’s international outlook and its reputation for housing exceptional universities – Sciences Po is also located nearby. “AUP’s presence confirms the pivotal role that our arrondissement plays as a center of higher education excellence in Paris,” says Dati. She believes the University is symbolic of a culture of high expectations and an openness to international collaboration; both traits are evident in other institutions headquartered in the
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