CUPA
Elizabeth CHRYSTAL, French Language & Literature Major, Yale University, Fall 2011
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Littérature XVIIe -XVIIIe siècles : Figures de l'imposteur - Université de Paris 3 Atelier de production écrite - CUPA • Littérature, culture et société : Le diable et l'idée du mal au XIXe siècle - Université de Paris 3 • Tourisme gourmand et œnotourisme - Université de Paris IV •
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"My Tuesdays in Paris usually begin around 8:30, when I hop on the metro to arrive at Paris III in time for my literature seminar, "Le diable et l’idée du mal." I have a quick breakfast of coffee and a croissant as I say hello to other students and get ready for our discussion. After class, I enjoy a short stroll by the Panthéon, through the Luxembourg Gardens (always packed with students, families, and runners – yes, people do run in Paris!), and up the rue Vavin to CUPA, where I have my writing workshop with about six other students. We usually start class by talking about what’s been in the news, then use the theme of the day to work on a certain grammar or stylistic lesson. Then it’s on to the café across the street to meet a French student from my master’s program in gastronomy at Paris IV to work on our exposé oral – plus some chit-chat over some delicious galettes with cheese and ratatouille, of course! Once I’m done with classes for the day, I often head out on a walk to explore a new park or quartier of the city – like the Buttes-Chaumont, the hilliest park in Paris, or the lovely covered shops of the Galerie Vivienne. I just have to keep an eye on the time to be home for dinner at 8 with my host family! As I walk in the door, I’ll immediately smell what’s cooking (quiche? lamb? leeks?) and step in the kitchen to help my host mom finish the meal and place everything on the table. After dinner, a little reading and homework, and then off to bed for another full day tomorrow!"
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