Graduate school in Paris has turned out to be a bit heavy on the graduate school and light on the Paris. Papers and exams, it seems, are universal concepts and they followed me here. Or, rather, I chased them here. Because I chose to come here and be a student again. Because I really thought that was a good idea. Or something like that.

(I’m maybe being a little sarcastic and melodramatic here — wholly uncharacteristic of me, I know — because I maybe possibly love being in school. But don’t tell — I’ll deny it.)

While mid-term examinations might be universal, Paris is still Paris, and you’d better believe she’ll find ways to remind you of that. Exam stress is everywhere, but exam stress relief is, as with most things in Paris, equal parts delicious and pretty when carried out here.

I live and attend school tripping-and-falling-my-face distance from the Eiffel Tower. On Monday I decided that after my first whole weekend of not going out, I deserved a study break. I also decided that my poor unappreciated camera deserved to be taken out. It was time to go play tourist properly.

Hello there, neighbor.

You never really know what is prettier — The Eiffel Tower, the trees, or the street signs. It is, of course, a trick question. The answer is everything.

Other people love how fashionable Parisians are. Me? I love nothing quite so much as the quirky absurdity of everything in this city.

Studying is hard. Everyone should have the option to take breaks in the form of a five minute walk to hop on a carousel between the Eiffel Tower and the Seine…

Your study break is incomplete without a study break snack.

This is how mid-terms are supposed to look, right?

Yes, being a graduate student is rough, my friends.