Living among the Parisians If you are applying for a semester away in Paris, be very smart about your housing - which arrondissement you live in and who you live with can make a big difference as to how you enjoy your Parisian experience. Personally, I adore my accommodation in Paris: I have my own spacious bedroom and bathroom in a host family in the 16th arrondissement, where many prominent literates such as Marcel Proust, Victor Hugo, and Honoré de Balzac once resided. Once a month, my host parents invite four student tenants for an elaborate dinner in their dining room that overlooks the Seine. Every now and then, I go jogging in the Champ de Mars, a public park next to the Eiffel Tower that is only a ten minute walk from my apartment. A district comparable to New York City’s Upper East Side, the 16th arrondissement offers an incredible cultural and, more importantly, safe atmosphere. However, now let me set aside my personal preferences and try to provide a more comprehensive overview of housing options NYU Paris offers in the city. There is a wide range of options: two NYU residence halls (Montsouris and République), apartments (studio apartments and chambre de bonne), and homestays scattered around the city. I will now elaborate on each one of these options. 1) Montsouris residence hall Located in the 13th arrondissement known as the “Asian quarter,” the Montsouris residence hall enjoys a relatively easy access to Asian cuisine. Montsouris houses all the freshmen students in the NYU Liberal Studies program and a couple of upperclassmen, and everyone has a single room. All the rooms have been freshly renovated in a modern minimalist style, which is nice and bizarre at the same time; somehow it does not feel quite Parisian to me. The residence hall itself is amidst a quiet residential area, but at times some drunk freshmen cause 2 AM disturbances. 2) République residence hall Close to the busy Place de la République, the République residence hall is at the heart of one of the most hopping areas in Paris. Bustling bars and cheap crépes after midnight are only steps away, which is not the case in most parts of the city (so enjoy Familymart everywhere while you still can). If you are big on drinking and partying, this might be the perfect location - I in fact know people in the program who take advantage of this convenience and party every night. Again, no judgment. 3) Chambre de Bonne A chambre de bonne is a single room typically on the top floor of an apartment building. As the name “room of the maid” suggests, it is fairly modest, and usually shares the bathroom, kitchen, as well as other facilities with other tenants or the landlord. Despite all the inconveniences, however, a simple room like the chambre de bonne can cost as little as 250-300 euros, which is a good bargain for students on a tight budget in a city as expensive as Paris. 4) Homestay Having come to Paris as a French beginner, I have regarded my host family as one of the best gateways to learning about the French culture. Over the dinners, they have given me a solid introduction to French wine and cheese. Sometimes when they have their grandchildren over for sleepovers, I will shamelessly volunteer to babysit and practice my limited French with the toddlers. Generally, the landlords and host families that provide housing for NYU students are reliable, as they have usually worked with NYU for several years. But more importantly, they are living samples of the Parisian lifestyle to its fullest. Socializing with the locals isn’t always easy, but having a wonderful host family can make your transition to a fully committed francophile much more smooth. There is not much to say about studio apartments, since their locations and conditions vary and so do students’ experiences. However, I would in general rank anything away from the NYU bubbles higher. Certainly, living by oneself in a new city without much of NYU’s guidance can be of nuisance at first, but Paris is Paris - soon enough you’ll (re)discover the charms of the city, and start to enjoy this personal space of yours that opens you to perpetual meditations. This article was written by Roman Chen. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Roman Chen