Emily in Paris Effect: Studying at an American University in Paris
Article from issue 1 of ‘later’ – the Parsons Paris alumni magazine
Editor Iman Salem & Illustrator Florencia Chaves
We are familiar with the Paris syndrome: this disappointment tourists have when visiting Paris. It happens because they find themselves destabilized by the cultural differences between the “real” Paris and the image you see in foreign media. But have you heard of the Emily in Paris effect? Probably not, because it’s my lesser-known personal analysis I’ve conducted based on studying at an American university in Paris.
Whether you’ve visited Paris a thousand times before or not, you will experience a culture shock when moving to Paris. Why? Because it is a highly mediatized city, and just like fake news, its misconceptions shatter preconceived notions of the iconic city. Studying in Paris at an American university seems indefinite and faint. But you find a balance in this combination. You become comfortable experiencing the Parisian clichĂ©s like eating a croissant and wearing a beret. Yet, you still challenge discomfort by escaping stereotypes and discovering uncommon places of the city because, let’s be honest, when mentioning your Parisian student life to friends and family, you don’t want to refer to shows like Emily in Paris, you want to share your own Paris guide, and this motivates you to discover the unknown aspects of the city.
Paris is an iconic city with an idyllic image; the longer you stay here, the more you realize Paris is not confined to its clichĂ©s. They are only one side of the broader picture. Unlike Sharpay Evans, Paris is not “out with the old and in with the new.” It is the opposite, Paris embraces its traditions and history to hearten its modern image. Attending an American university, specifically Parsons Paris, exposes us to multiple views and outlooks because of the multicultural environment of the programs. It immerses students in a constant shift in perspective of life in Paris. In other terms, it is very tough for us to get bored in Paris whether you are having a “cafĂ©-clope” at the CafĂ© de Flore or exploring a mysterious street in the 19th arrondissement.
You can access or download the full PDF version of ‘later’ – issue 1 here.