Hi! My name is Cami, and I’m currently a Junior Architectural Design major in the College of Built Environments at UW. This summer, I got the opportunity to participate in a month-long program about urban design and planning in Paris, and through this experience, I learned a lot about the built environment and myself.
Before studying abroad, I only knew the city from its picturesque tourist attractions: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the endless amounts of historic architecture. But after one month studying sustainable design through the PARIS 2030 program, I came to understand the city differently. Not only does it host beautiful parks and buildings, but it also acts as an evolving metropolis, becoming one of the leading cities in sustainability and urban development.
The main question our program asked was: How is Paris transforming to meet contemporary urban challenges? Our daily site visits, lectures, conversations with experts, and an abundant amount of walking explored this – from major bike infrastructure and urban forest installations to investments into the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the city’s impactful “bioclimactic urban plan”. These projects weren’t just about sustainability, they were also about rethinking who the city serves and how to do it better.
And through the process of learning how Paris is changing, I changed a little too.
A Lesson in Flexibility and Balance
The first harsh fact to hit me on my journey abroad was that travel is not smooth in any sense. I missed trains, got off at wrong bus stops, arrived at group activities soaked from a surprise downpour, and faced egregious summer heatwaves, causing some of our planned events to be adapted on the spot.
From these mishaps, I quickly realized that adaptability was an essential trait to have. Learning how to pivot, let go of the “perfect” plan you made, and keep moving forward without crashing was one of the most important lessons Paris taught me, especially as someone who gets stressed about being on time and needs to be everywhere ten minutes early.
Another skill I realized I had to sharpen quickly after getting to Paris was time management. Between attending classes, finishing assignments, and participating in site visits with local policymakers and volunteers, I had to become strategic with how I spent my time and energy.
Planning ahead and leaving a buffer period in between events was crucial, especially in a dense, fast-moving city like Paris. But I also learned how important it is to listen to your body. Every night, at least one person was going out, whether it was to dinner or a funky jazz bar. And while I wanted to (and did for a while) go out with friends for several nights in a row, I realized that saying yes to every outing wasn’t sustainable. And honestly? Missing a late night out and getting a little FOMO was worth it if it meant being fully awake for a morning tour of a cool eco-neighborhood or grassroot organization’s urban forest. That balance between participation, rest, structure, and spontaneity helped me get the most out of my experience without burning out.
Paris as a Classroom
At the heart of this study abroad experience was the academic knowledge I gained about Paris as an urban epicenter. We explored the city’s ambitious sustainability goals, including its aim to become one of the greenest cities in Europe by 2030, and traveled across the metropolis to understand how socialist leadership has shaped progressive urban revitalization efforts. Firsthand, we saw how streets are being redesigned for pedestrians and cyclists, how urban forests are being planted, and how new water policies work towards making the Seine swimmable again (which we got to do!).
One of the things that stuck with me the most was Paris’ “15-minute-city” model, which proposes compact, accessible neighborhoods where people can access work, school, groceries, and leisure activities within a short walk or bike ride. It was inspiring to see how an old, historic city could take the lead in designing a more sustainable future.
My Personal Growth and Lasting Connections
Beyond the plethora of knowledge I gained about urban planning and sustainable cities, the greatest gift of this program was the people. I met fellow students from my own college in separate majors, as well as others from completely different disciplines and colleges, forming friendships I know will last far beyond this program. I even met a few local Parisians, which added another layer to feeling connected to the city.
We shared so many amazing moments and experiences – group dinners, morning walks to the Metro, spontaneous picnics along the canal. These connections were built on shared learning, challenges, and growth. And along the way, between getting lost on the Metro and taking random trips with my friends, I found a little clarity in my own path. Before this program, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction to take my career. But after learning about sustainable architecture, grassroots urbanism, and equitable city planning, I now have fresh perspective and inspiration to pursue work and projects that build towards better eco-friendly cities for everyone.
Advice for Future Study Abroad Huskies
If you are even slightly thinking about studying abroad, here’s my number one piece of advice:
Just. Go.
Not only will you gain academic knowledge in your major’s field, or a field you’re interested in – but you will also gain independence, global perspective, confidence, and strong friend connections. Don’t be afraid to say yes to new experiences or take time to explore a new city by yourself. Learn the balance, take care of your health, and come prepared. Pack a portable charger, keep your transit pass full, check the maps before heading out, and (PLEASE!) bring a fan with you if your program is during the summer.
Most of all, stay wildly curious. Ask questions, research things that interest you, and let the city or town challenge you as a person.
Go wild!
-Cami Aiyer