Meet Brooke Berndtson – Student Success Coordinator and Academic Advisor
Meet, Brooke, the newest addition to the Student Success team!
Q: Your first and last name.
A: Brooke Berndtson
Q: What do you do at Parsons Paris?
A: Student Success Coordinator and Academic Advisor
Q: How long have you worked at Parsons Paris?
A: I started mid-January 2024
Q: What is your nationality?
A: American/Greek
Q: How long have you lived in Paris?
A: 10 years
Q: What is your favorite thing about this city?
A: I love the ease of getting around. The city is highly connected through public transportation as well as being very walkable.
Q: Name one of your favorite places to eat at close to campus!
A: I try to cook at home more than I eat out, but Hokkaido on Rue Chabanais has an enjoyable ambiance and the service has always been friendly.
Q: What is your favorite arrondissement and why?
A: I’m partial to the 17th. I love the Parc Clichy – Batignolles Martin Luther-King and spend a lot of time there. Batignolles is a diverse and lively neighborhood and towards Plaine-de-Monceaux there is Parc Monceau, MarchĂ© de LĂ©vis, and MarchĂ© Poncelet, and a few small museums. I lived in this arrondissement for many years so it feels homey.
Q: Name one of your favorite cultural spots in Paris.
A: The Petit Palais is one of my favorites. The building is beautiful. There is great art. The garden is a lovely place to have a coffee or lunch. And, it’s free!
Q: Who is your favorite musician or band?
A: A lot of people think this is strange, but I rarely listen to music. I enjoy all different types of music, but I can’t say I have any favorites.
Q: What is your favorite activity to do in Paris?
A: I love the gardens, and I am a big fan of picnics. I also spend hundreds of hours a year at the cinema. Paris is a great city for cinephiles.
Q: Do you have a secret tips to share with new visitors to the city?
A: The Parc de Bagatelle has the loveliest rose gardens. An international competition is held there every year, so over a hundred varieties of roses are on display. The best time to visit is late May to early June. There are also peacocks that wander the ground and lots of space to set up picnics without competing for space with large crowds.