Written by Sian Salazar | July 26, 2024
Anyone you ask will tell you that taking a Maymester is a good deal financially, but what they don’t tell you is that all Maymesters are not made equal.
What makes Maymesters so appealing (besides the fact that you get to travel to a foreign country) is that they’re included in part of your USC tuition, which often means that meals, lodging, travel insurance, museum tickets or other excursions, and more are comped — girl math means they’re free.
USC offers all sorts of Maymesters in all different countries, across all different programs — the chances for you to find a class that coincides with both your academic interests and your travel goals are exponentially high. My personal favorite, however, is FREN 307: Public Memory and the Ghosts of History. I might be a little bit biased (I am a French minor, after all), but the vast majority of students in the class hadn’t taken past French 3 and all loved the course. No surprise there — everyone loves Paris!
Why you should take it
The reasons I have for recommending this Maymester specifically are manifold, but let me break them down for you:
- FREN 307 is one full month abroad. Most programs are 2-3 weeks at best, and often include an online component or even require you to take part of the class during the regular semester. This class is taught entirely within the month you’re in Paris, so you don’t have to worry about any work before and after.
- The professor is amazing. Professor Guilan Siassi has created one of the best class curriculums I have ever experienced in my life — she guides you through every aspect of Parisian history, all the way from before the Revolution to the modern day, and you get to actively explore parts of the city as you’re learning about them in class.
- The class is basically a gigantic tour of Paris. No matter what you’re interested in (shopping, eating out, exploring ancient ruins, visiting history or art museums), I guarantee that at least two of the walking tours the class takes will satisfy you. Practically every day you have class in the morning and a tour of a different part of the city in the afternoon. In this way, the class gets you out of your comfort zone and teaches you about the less stereotypically “touristy” spots you might find if you only do your research through Tik Tok.
- Finally, this class satisfies your GE-B requirement. What better way to knock out a GE than to get a guided vacation in Paris? Despite being a GE, however, this class is typically reserved for upperclassmen and French majors or minors, so keep this in mind. There is an application process, and your chances might be greater as a junior than as a freshman.
Let me walk you through what one month in Paris looks like, through the eyes of a FREN 307 student:
Week 1
The class’s very first walking tour takes you straight from Place de la Concorde at the heart of Paris all the way to the Notre Dame — and you can explore the famous flower markets (pictured on the right) on your way!
Later on, make sure to check out the Musée D’Orsay (pictured below), one of the best museums in Europe for impressionist art (including Van Gogh, Monet, Dégas, and other famous names). The student card that comes with the program gives you free admission to almost every single museum in Paris. The Musée D’Orsay was built in a former train station, and retains all its former grandeur. Don’t forget to stop by La Salle des Fêtes for a peek of what Versailles is like.
Week 2
Your second week takes you to one of the most quintessentially “French” parts of Paris, Montmartre (pictured below.) At least, that’s how my homestay family described it to me, and they were right. This part of the city was incorporated after the heart of Paris was formed, and it retains its “country” origins in its architectural legacy and the names of the streets.
On the weekend, I would recommend a day trip to Versailles (pictured on the left), which is probably one of the first things you might think of when you hear “France.” Just 30 minutes outside of the city, and covered by the NaviGo passes that USC provides (that’s right, free public transportation!), it’s incredibly accessible.
The best part of Versailles are the gardens, which are not covered by your student pass (though the palaces are). I suggest shelling out the extra bucks to explore the enormous gardens — it’s the highlight of the trip, after all.
Week 3
Your third week is packed full of amazing site visits, including the Panthéon (pictured below), where notable names like Voltaire and Rousseau are interred, and the Paris catacombs — though I will say the catacombs are not for the faint of heart!
If you’re a Monet fan and you have some extra time after class, stop by the Musée D’Orangerie. They have two rooms on the main floor dedicated to Monet’s largest panels, depicting his beautiful water lilies in all their fullest glory (pictured left).
The final class museum visit is to the Musée de Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, a unique museum dedicated to France’s colonial possessions. It’s located right next to the Eiffel Tower, so don’t forget to catch a view of the most iconic site in Paris. Have a great Maymester!
