I am a lover of routine. Some people are significantly more adventurous than me, but I enjoy stability and always being in the swing of things. As I settle into my routines here, in Paris, I find myself with seemingly more and more free time. If I were in the US, I might just rot in my room, but since I am not, I have to make the most of every moment. I’ll highlight some of the things that I do here.

The first thing that I do when I’m bored, wherever I may be, is go to a park. I think that nature is beautiful and has a great effect on my mental state. Even if the trees might be bare now, wandering around in tranquility is still a fantastic way to spend time and make sure I am not spending all of my time in front of a screen. This is also a simple choice, because there are so many parks in Paris, and they are all quite easy to get to.

Of course, the city and its surroundings are also chock full of cultural destinations. Whether it be a small museum or an entire village, there are a lot of landmarks that can both teach you about something and be a way to take your mind off of schoolwork. Whether it’s the Louvre with its art, Carnavalet with its history, or the Natural History Museum for the aspiring archaeologist, there are tons of museums, many of which are free for students in the EU. The castles and villages surrounding Paris are also quite cool, such as Provins and Vincennes.

It also wouldn’t be a major city without a cornucopia of events happening all over. Right now, wandering around Christmas markets and people-watching seems to be quite fun. Another fad taking over Paris is ceramic painting cafés, where you can paint ceramic goods – as implied by the name –  and chat with different people. 

Worst comes to worst, you can always sit at a bench and read a book, even if it’s getting colder. Thanks for reading, and à plus!