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Abhi in Paris
Reflections on My Time Abroad!
This is it - it's exam week at ENSEA. My time abroad has come to an end. My semester in Paris was an adventure filled with unforgettable moments, invaluable lessons, and experiences that I'll treasure forever. Studying at ENSEA in Cergy gave me a unique opportunity to dive into French culture, explore Europe, and gain new perspectives that have deeply impacted my personal growth. I've been so fortunate to blog this journey every week, and I hope these accounts help inform future study abroad applicants of the amazing experiences that lay ahead :)
The Allure of Paris
Paris stole my heart from day one. Iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral were the scenes I passed to class on a daily basis. I enjoyed evenings along the Seine, running in Les Invalides, eating & shopping in Le Marais, and so much more. I feel at home here now, and it's definitely going to be an adjustment to be back in the U.S. I'll always remember this city for the challenges it posed and the amazing opportunities it brought, and I just hope I can visit again soon.
ENSEA
Studying at ENSEA was both challenging & rewarding. The academic intensity pushed me to expand my electrical engineering knowledge while working with students from diverse backgrounds. The experience of studying in a different educational system taught me adaptability and resilience. It's the small things like a completely different scheduling process and interactions with French students that help you grow into a more confident and inclusive person that can handle changing circumstances. I'm gonna miss the school, the professors, and the students.
Adventures Beyond Paris
My travels extended beyond Paris, allowing me to experience Europe's richness. Each country I visited offered unique experiences and lessons:
Italy: History and Cuisine
In Italy, I was awed by Rome's ancient ruins, Florence's Renaissance art, and Venice's romantic canals. The country's history and artistic heritage were incredible. I ate delicious Italian food, from authentic pasta to mouthwatering gelato. Italy taught me to savor life's pleasures and appreciate the beauty of the past. And the best part, I walk a way from Italy with a much stronger knowledge of Italian cooking that I fully plan to put to use.
Spain: Culture and Tradition
Spain's vibrant culture and traditions left a lasting impression. From Madrid's bustling streets to Barcelona's architectural wonders, every city had its charm. Experiencing flamenco dancing, enjoying tapas, and witnessing a traditional bullfight were highlights of my Spanish adventure. Spain reminded me to live in the moment and celebrate diversity.
Germany: History and Modernity
Germany's blend of historical significance and modern innovation fascinated me. In Berlin, I visited the Berlin Wall remnants and learned about the city's history. German engineering's efficiency was evident in Munich and Frankfurt. Experiencing Germany's culture, from festive beer gardens to rich musical heritage, deepened my understanding of the country's resilience and progress. Germany reinforced the importance of learning from history to build a better future.
Personal Growth and Lessons Learned
Throughout my time abroad, I experienced tremendous personal growth. Living in a foreign country challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and adapt to new environments. I became more self-reliant, confident, and resourceful. Navigating language barriers and cultural differences taught me empathy and effective communication.
One of the most significant lessons was embracing uncertainty and seizing opportunities. Spontaneous trips, unplanned adventures, and local interactions often led to the most memorable experiences. I discovered that the best moments often come from unexpected encounters and uncharted paths.
My time in Paris also deepened my appreciation for diversity and global interconnectedness. Meeting people from different cultures, hearing their stories, and sharing mine broadened my horizons and fostered unity. I realized that despite our differences, we all share common aspirations and dreams.
Gratitude and Moving Forward
Reflecting on my semester abroad, I'm filled with gratitude for the incredible journey and lessons learned. The experiences in Paris and beyond have shaped me into a more open-minded, resilient, and culturally aware person. I'm grateful for the friendships, places explored, and personal growth achieved.
Moving forward, I carry the spirit of adventure, appreciation for diverse cultures, and lessons of adaptability and resilience. My time abroad inspired me to continue exploring, seeking new experiences, and embracing the unknown. I'm excited to apply these skills and perspectives to future endeavors, both personally and professionally.
In conclusion, my semester in Paris was a transformative journey that enriched my life in countless ways. The memories, lessons, and people I met will forever hold a special place in my heart. As I embark on new adventures, I carry the spirit of Paris and the invaluable experiences that have shaped who I am today.
A plus (for the last time!!),
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 18: My time abroad comes to an end :)
Hi Readers,
Welcome to my last blog post of the semester abroad! I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences with you all. I’ll soon post a reflection on my entire semester abroad, so stay tuned. Apologies for this post coming out later than usual; it’s been a hectic time wrapping things up and taking exams.
Monday, May 13th - My week started with a trip to my aunt’s place in Malleswaram, Bangalore, which is very much in the center of the city. Malleswaram is a charming neighborhood known for its traditional homes, bustling markets, and historic temples. I navigated the city using the metro, which I found to be super clean and efficient. In the evening, I visited Orion Mall and was shocked to see every major European boutique and American casual fashion store there. It’s fascinating how globalized retail has become. For dinner, I got to eat at an Indian Taco Bell and enjoyed a mango milkshake, a quirky blend of familiar fast food with local flavors.
Tuesday, May 14th
I started the day with a morning run around Malleswaram, enjoying the vibrant street life and local parks. My mission for the day was to find an ATM of a specific bank that would work with international cards and dispense Indian rupees. This hunt took me through various parts of the neighborhood, giving me a deeper appreciation for the daily hustle and bustle of Bangalore. In the evening, I explored Cubbon Park, a vast green oasis in the middle of the city. The park is home to numerous species of plants and trees, making it a perfect escape from the urban chaos. I also visited Vidhan Soudha, the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka, an Indian state, an imposing building with stunning architecture. Dinner was a delightful experience of Indo-Chinese street food, followed by a refreshing milkshake and some kulfi, a traditional Indian frozen dessert.
Wednesday, May 15th
Today, I managed to go for another run, this time exploring MG Road, the heart of Bangalore’s shopping district. MG Road is a bustling commercial area lined with shops, restaurants, and offices. I indulged in some retail therapy, exploring various stores and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. For lunch, we went to Burma Burma, an authentic Burmese restaurant. The food was exquisite, and it was interesting to compare it with the diverse culinary experiences I’ve had throughout my travels.
Thursday & Friday, May 16th & 17th
I spent the next few days in Whitefield, located in the eastern part of Bangalore. Whitefield has an interesting history, as it was established in the late 1800s as a settlement for the Eurasian and Anglo-Indian communities of Bangalore. Over the years, it has transformed into one of the major hubs for the IT industry in India, hosting numerous multinational companies and tech parks.
During my stay in Whitefield, I spent most of my time with my cousins, who are 15 and 8 years old. We had a blast playing cricket with the kids from their apartment complex. Cricket, being almost a religion in India, provided a great way to bond with my cousins and the local children. The evenings were filled with laughter and delicious home-cooked meals, a refreshing change from the dining experiences I’ve had abroad.
Saturday, May 18th
The highlight of today was going to Saatvam, a vegetarian lunch buffet renowned for its vast array of dishes. The restaurant offers hundreds of exotic and tasty vegetarian options, each dish bursting with unique flavors and textures. It was a gastronomic adventure, exploring the diverse culinary heritage of India through this vegetarian feast. The attention to detail and the emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients made it a memorable dining experience.
Reflecting on the Journey
As I wrap up my final blog post, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey this semester has been. From the bustling streets of Paris to the serene parks of Bangalore, each experience has been a learning opportunity, broadening my horizons and enriching my understanding of the world. Studying abroad at ENSEA in Cergy, France, has been an eye-opener in many ways, pushing me to adapt to new environments and embrace diverse cultures.
Bangalore, with its blend of tradition and modernity, has been a perfect place to conclude my travels. The city’s rich history, from its origins as a small settlement to its current status have been amazing to explore.
As I prepare to return to Michigan, I look forward to sharing more about my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned in my upcoming reflection post. Thank you for following along on this journey with me. Your support and encouragement have made this experience even more special.
Stay tuned for my final reflection on this unforgettable semester abroad!
Phir Milenge (See you soon),
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 17: Grinding in Paris & A Surprise Flight to the Homeland
Hello Readers,
As you might know, I put together a surprise travel plan a few days ago to visit India. I’ve been working so hard on the plans. With only a few days to leave, I was working with my teachers to make sure I have a plan to get all my work done, putting together my travel plans, and starting all the packing. Since arriving I’ve had such an amazing time – It’s a completely different environment than Europe, but one I’m very excited for.
Monday, May 6th & Tuesday, May 7th– Monday & Tuesday were packed with getting ready for my trip and getting a bunch of labs out of the way. Monday started with Communication Systems and Signals & Systems classes. As we’re wrapping classes, things keep becoming more interactive and the material is more nuanced and interesting. After a full day in Cergy, France at ENSEA on Monday, I headed home on the RER to have a French women ask me how to get to La Defense, the business center of Paris. I was able to cobble together the directions in French – honestly super proud of myself.
Tuesday was much of the same. I had a few hours of Communication Systems lab to finish up. As I’ve said in the past, the labs at ENSEA are some of the best part of the curriculum. They are engaging without being tedious. School Aside – tomorrow I would be leaving on a monumental journey, and I’m not about waste some of my precious time in Paris. So I hitched a ride on the trains back into Paris, and grabbed milkshakes from an amazing dinner. Then, I started preparing for a little surprise I planned for my girlfriend, Sneha. She’s studying abroad with me here in Paris, but by the time I get back from my little trips, she’s off to her internship in NYC.
Thus, I had put together an elaborate plan for a final shebang in Paris. I rushed to the grocery store to get strawberries, chocolate, pasta, ricotta, wine, and a bunch of other small ingredients. After rushing back to the apartment, I did a complete clean, moved everything out of the living room and set up a table in the middle with flowers & candles. Then, I got to cooking some Baked Ziti Pasta & Chocolate Covered Coconut Sprinkled Strawberries. I surprised Sneha just as she came home with dim lights and her favorite song. Then, we had an awesome time drinking wine on the side of the Seine & enjoying the food.
Wednesday, May 8th – Today was travel day!! My flight was in the late evening, so I honestly spent most of the day grinding my packing. I had bought so many things in Europe that I went out to buy an extra suitcase and spent hours optimizing the weight to get each suitcase to exactly 50 pounds and squeeze in all my things. I had a quick cup of noodles and one final Pain Au Chocolat for lunch before heading to the airport in a cab.
Going through CDG was super smooth, and I was at the gate 1.5 hours ahead of time for my Air India flight to Delhi. We took of a few minutes late, and I quickly settled into a 9 hour plane ride. I was most excited for the food!! Their food is amazing, and they constantly serve spicy meals and sweet snacks. After enjoying a corn puff snack, wine, and my dinner which was Paneer Lababdar, Chawal, & Roti, I dosed off to sleep for the long night ahead.
Thursday, May 9th– Admittedly I only got a few hours of sleep here and there – I tend not to sleep well on planes. Anyway, as the sun rose around the plane as we crossed over Israel (at around 3am Paris time), I got up and took the opportunity to brush my teeth and freshen up in the plane bathroom. Upon my return I was met with an amazing French breakfast spread. Soon after we landed in Delhi at 8:50am IST (India Standard Time).
Now, the looming problem was, my connecting flight to Bangalore in the South of India was at 9:40am. Coming into the country, I had to pass immigration, get my bags from check in, go to the domestic terminal, check my bags back in, pass security, and then meet the second plane—all this in one of the world’s most crowded population centers.
There was no other way to describe the situation other than sheer chaos. I ran every single meter I could through immigration through baggage claim through the domestic terminal and right into the flight at 9:50am, the last person through that door. Definitely not a pleasant experience.
I arrived in Bangalore around 12:40pm. I gave my grandparents & aunt/uncle and literally no one believed me. They thought I was pranking them, so they turned their ringer off and went out to get lunch. Meanwhile, I was getting my bags and grabbed a taxi. I showed up at their door just after they finished lunch, and my god they were shocked that this wasn’t a joke.
It was an awesome afternoon & evening spent catching up after 2.5 years. And, I got to try lots of great Indian food too!!
Friday, May 10th – Friday was a great start to this visit. My uncle had just bought a new house. As part of my Tamil culture, one of the important ceremonies to complete when you buy a new house is Pal Cachal or “milk boiling.” In India, no one uses milk directly – it’s always boiled before use, so that’s one of the most common kitchen chores. Therefore, when one gets a new house, it’s custom to have a ceremony around the first time you boil milk. After that, I enjoyed an amazing dinner and crashed, as I was still not fully recovered from the long journey.
Saturday, May 11th & Sunday, May 12th – Saturday and Sunday were a blur of exploration and trying new food. My grandparents live just North of Banagalore city, near the airport in an area called Devanahalli, so I explored the the villages there and saw Devanahalli Fort. This was the birthplace of Tipu Sultan, a famous Muslim ruler who conquered the wealthy south Indian state of Mysore and fought of the British from the area repeatedly. I tried an assortment of food including Pav Bhaji, Roti Dahl Makhni, Matka Mango Rabadi, Rasmalai, and my favorite, a McSpicy Panner Burger from McDonalds.
I’m so excited for this adventure. I’m going to continue exploring South India, make a quick visit to the United Arab Emirates, and wrap up my classes. Stay tuned!!
Phir Milate Hain (See You Soon),
Abhi
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 16: Catching up with friends, trying new Parisian experiences, & radical changes
Welcome everyone! I can’t’ believe it, but we’re at week 16 already! Nowadays, I walk into French apartment in the 1éme of Parus and think of it as home. I’ve gotten used to having to take extra effort to communicate with people, enjoy the charms & detriments of Paris, and everything else that comes along with living in Europe.
You know the first time you do something new & exciting? There’s a certain adrenaline and excitement that goes along with it. But if you do it 50 times over, it starts to just become another thing you do…that’s how I’m starting to feel now. And I’m starting to wonder what it’s going to be like to go back to the U.S. and have to reverse back all the changes & adjustments I’ve made. That’s the great thing about studying abroad—you overwhelmingly become more adaptive.
Anyway, this week held an interesting mix of things for me. With a heavier class load, I spent my fair share of time in class & lab this week. I also spent quite a bit of time hanging out with friends and using the time to visit Paris monuments that I’ve skipped in the past. Finally, this week was a whirlwind with a quick decision I made leading to a complete change in the rest of my abroad experience.
Monday, April 29th & Tuesday, April 30th – As always, these days, Mondays & Tuesday are normally filled with routine & class. I had classes & labs for Communication Systems, Power Engineering, French, and Signals. And this deep into the semester, let me tell you, It’s still quite enjoyable. The pace of the classes and level of teacher engagement on labs just makes tough content so much easier to grasp. I’d probably be dying with final exams & not understanding anything back at Michigan, but here things are a little different.
After class on Monday, I managed to make use of the amazing weather to enjoy a great 7.5k run down the Seine. It’s an amazing place to run, walk, hang out with friends, and grab some drinks.
On Tuesdays, I get back from class pretty late, so I just had time to make some dinner from scratch and watch a movie before I was super tired.
Wednesday, May 1st & Thursday, May 2nd –Wednesday, I had no class! So, I took the chance to walk over to 2A Barbers, a small barber shop near Les Halles in the 1éme just a few minutes’ walk for me. They’ve got the cheapest haircut in Paris at 17 euros. Let me tell you, over the past few months I’ve been to places with haircuts as expensive as 58 euros, so this is a welcome reprieve. My man at 2A Barbers set me up, and I was back home soon.
As I headed out to my usual spot for grocery shopping, I learned that the reason I don’t have class today is that today is French Labor Day! So, I had to say bye to grocery shopping. Instead, I had seen an advertisement for buy 1 get 1 on milkshakes, and I really enjoyed a vanilla & Oreo shake in the evening.
Thursday was quite the opposite—so much to do. I started my morning early with a run (all in preparation for a run I registered for on Sunday). Then, I had to run to school to go to a pancake party that the International Programs office at ENSEA was hosting. And the coolest part was, they created a set and recorded each of answering questions about the program separately. After that, I had to attend a 4 hour lab, and then finally, it was time to head back to Paris. After school, I had an awesome time hanging out in Bastille in the east of Paris with some of my friends from ENSEA.
Friday, May 3rd – Friday was a pretty chill day. After a fun morning class on French Culture, I grabbed Chipotle for lunch. Paris & France is great, but as someone who loves spice, I will say, I’ve found France to be sorely lacking in that regard. I asked them to add a double dose of hot sauce in my burrito, and it hit the spot.
Afterwards, I got the chance to explore Rue de Montmarte, which is full of “kilo” shops. These thrift shops tag clothes based on a price per kg & get the total based on weight at the end. It was such a cool vibe and an amazing chance to explore Parisian clothing. After that, I took a long walk to Le Marais in the 2éme & 3éme of Paris. There’s lots of amazing boutique Ateliers lining the streets filled with the latest fashion trends, where I made plenty of holes in my wallet.
Then, after a quick break and recharge back home, I headed to Delhi Bazar, a new Indian restaurant in 11éme, to try their modern take on Indian food. It was some amazing food!! Once again, hit the spot with the spice craving.
Saturday, May 4th & Sunday, May 5th – The weekend was a lot of the same. Firstly though, there’s some big news I’ve gotta share. I’ll be visiting India for the next two weeks – exploring several cities in the south and attending my classes remotely! After talking to my professors at ENSEA, I got the okay to attend a little bit of my classes remotely to spend some time in India with my grandparents. And the crazy thing is—I leave next Wednesday!! It’s such a short time frame, and I’m so stressed.
I decided to spend most of the weekend doing some packing & seeing everything that I had missed in Paris the past few months. I visited Champs Elysées & Arc de Triomphe and spent time on Sunday walking and shopping in the area. Every first Sunday of the month, the municipal government of Paris actually stops traffic on the street so pedestrians can walk up and down the whole things. It was a hectic & fun weekend overall!
A plus tard,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 15: Thinking about the future & relaxing times
Monday, April 22nd & Tuesday, April 23rd – The week started off much like any other quiet week in Paris. My first few days are dilled with the heavier classes, and I spend longer hours at ENSEA working on labs and other homework.
This week, Monday kicked off with a very interesting new class—the “Unit 3” component of the culture class I had been taking all semester. Each Unit is taught by a different professor and operates differently. This one was a blast – the professor is the fun-loving and joking type, and we managed to learn a lot about French culture related to the workplace from someone who spent most of his life in Corporate France & Corporate Europe. Tuesday was much of the same with a French test on past tense verbs and several more lectures in my Communication Systems & Signals classes.
Wednesday, April 24th & Thursday, April 25th – The next few days, as often occurs with my schedule, are free from classes, and I can use the time to relax and catch up on things. I enjoyed a beautiful run down the Seine River on both days, and as the temperature warmed up, I enjoyed more time outside. Paris is such an odd place. I’ve heard that back at Michigan, there’s several days in the 70’s with lots of sun, and yet, even approaching may, we are in the 50’s with overcast skies. Point being – you’ve got to enjoy any and all warm weather you get here.
I also spent some time shopping on Wednesday trying out a huge mall in Paris that sits right next to where I lived called Forum des Halles. It is mostly underground and connects to the metro station Chatlet les Halles I use to get to ENSEA every day. Although I walked around, I never really got the chance to explore too much until this week. It’s absolutely massive, but I really enjoyed perusing the shelves of all the French stores and looking for some possible gifts for family & friends.
Friday, April 26th – Friday started with a Part 2 of my French Culture class, where our professor was back it. It was a long 4 hour class, but we spent the first 2 hours coming up with an outlandish plot as a class of an American who comes to Cergy, France from a job as the CEO of Shake Shack after committing financial fraud to start Shack Shack a small kebab business, after trying a local place Shake Shake near ENSEA. It was an awesome time! Then, we spent the last 2 hours splitting into groups and having a “brawl” styled debate on differences between the French and American work systems that was just plain comical to watch. This has definitely been one of my favorite classes at ENSEA.
After that, I took the train back home and spent the evening enjoying the good weather with some friends by the Seine. It’s always a tradition to spend an evening on the banks of the Seine, having some wine and snacks. But this time, I unexpectedly got splashed by the wake of an oncoming boat!
Saturday, April 27th & Sunday, April 28th – My weekend went by in a blink of more of the same—running, enjoying the weather, walking around the Southern parts of Paris and some more shopping. I was super excited to have my girlfriend Sneha, with me in Paris, on Sunday to celebrate out 1 Year Anniversary. We had an amazing time enjoying the weather, getting some drinks, and enjoying a very relaxing dinner with Eiffel Towers views. What better place to be than Paris!
A plus tard,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 14: Troubles in Italy, Exciting Adventures in Paris
Monday, April 15th – Another chill day in the books in Milazzo, Sicily, Italy. After a lazy start to the day, I spent most of the afternoon enjoying the weather and the views of the Mediterranean Sea. I got to enjoy the local culture of the city visiting several local shops. Even more special, there was an amazing antiques market by the sea with sellers selling everything from antique coins and notes to trinkets and even violins. It was such a treat to go through the market and talk to different sellers. I wrapped up my super chill day with a traditional Sicilian Dinner.
Tuesday, April 16th – This was the BIG day. I was super excited to catch an early morning flight to Stromboli, the island volcano part of the Aeolian Islands of the Mediterranean Sea. I showed up to the ferry dock around 7 A.M., but to my dismay the ferry was not operational due to mechanical issues. It was a pretty big blow for me, given how I excited I was for the trip, but nonetheless I knew I could make the best of the situation. With no way to get to my next AirBNB, I talked to all the parties involved, and within the hour had a flight booked to Paris for later that day.
Stromboli was the last stop on my trip and with this hitch, I didn’t have much more to see in Italy, I figured I could take the chance to head back home and explore Paris. It was such a grueling commute back. First 2 trains to get to the Sicilian city of Catania, then a bus to get to Catania Airport. After a flight into Paris, I had to hop on one more train and then a metro to get back home. It ended up being a grueling trip, but I ended up home!
Wednesday, April 17th & Thursday, April 18th – I decided not to let the sudden change bog me down and make the day in Paris productive. But first, I wanted to take one day to rest & reflect up from the last week and a half of travel. This was my last big, planned adventure—so many memories, excitement, but also a sense of sadness. No matter, I enjoyed my day trying to replicate the Italian / Roman recipes I had learned through my travels—fresh egg-based Fettuccine with Cacio e Pepe sauce and Tiramisu. Honestly, this was such a fun day. I made some amazing food and really got a chance to reflect on my trip. Check below for some pics of the food I made—it was so good!!
Friday, April 19th – One of the suggestions my French Culture teacher told me was to visit Parc Asterix. It’s a theme park based on the old, famous French comics Asterix & Obelisk. It’s about the time of the Romans. Asterix & Obelisk are two gallic warriors. The Galls were a more tribal people who lived in general north of the Romans and during the height of Rome, when they controlled most of what’s today France, the Galls lived in Brittany. That’s the northwest region of France around Normandy. Anyway, Asterix & Obelisk are two funny gallic warriors who are out to end the Roman empire in some silly ways.
They took all of the shenanigans and history and put it into this park. The park is split up into sections on each ancient land – Gall, Greece, Egypt, and Rome, with fun themed rides everywhere. It was such a blast – I only wish the weather was a little better and not cold as Paris always is.
Saturday, April 20th & Sunday, April 21st – After two weeks of adventure and travel, I was determined to use the weekend to reestablish a routine, do all the chores I’d been ignoring in my apartment, get groceries, and relax before my final 4 week stretch of class ahead. It was a super relaxing weekend, and I even spent both evenings having a little picnic beside the Seine River in the heart of Paris and watching the sunset.
Thanks so much for reading again! It's been a wild ride getting all the way from week 0 to week 14, and I can already feel that I've learned so much and changed so much as a person from this experience. I've only got a few weeks left here in Paris, and I intend to make the most of it! Tune in next week, as I head back to class & more adventures in Paris.
A plus tard,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA at Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 13: Exploring Italy from Milan to Rome
Hi Readers! I’m following up on my last post that was quite late with an update from this week as well. As I mentioned in my last post, I’m doing a 16-day backpacking trip down Italy hitting both small towns and large cities. Last we spoke, I had finished a sunny Sunday in Milan looking at the sights & shopping.
Monday, April 9th – Today was another sunny day in Milan. I grabbed some early morning coffee from an authentic one-man hole-in-the-wall café called “Oro Nero” and then headed to meet a friend for lunch. We grabbed some amazing pasta and a few drinks as well. In France, there’s a concept called “L’Apero,” which involves a few drinks and light snacks either as a lunch break or in the evening after work. It’s also very common in Italy, and I was here to embrace it.
After a few L’Apero drinks, I walked around and grabbed some gelato near University of Bocconi. Then, I went back towards the center of the city to do some more shopping before leaving Milan. Don’t worry, I planned ahead & left plenty of space in my bags to shop :) I, then, caught my intercity train to Florence, reaching in about 4 hours. Instead of Florence, I was staying a small, old town called Montecatini, about halfway between Florence & the Mediterranean Sea, which is close to towns like Pisa & Lucca.
Tuesday, April 10th – Today was my day to explore Tuscan culture. I started by taking a morning train into the small town Lucca. I entered the town passing the old imposing Roman walls and it quite beautiful. With several beautiful churches, it was a quaint little town. I then walked through the town into the main town square, which is famous for being oval in shape. There, I found an awesome Italian restaurant and grabbed some lunch and drinks. After then exploring the rest of the town and visiting a few local shops, I then caught a train to Pisa. In Pisa, I saw the Duomo complex, including Pisa’s large church and the Leaning Tower of Pisa too! In fact, I walked up hundreds of stairs to the top of tower, and my god, you can really feel the lean up there. After that, I grabbed some gelato in Pisa, and made my way back to Montecatini for the night.
Wednesday, April 11th – Now that I had explored some of the smaller towns, I was excited to visit Florence to learn about the Medici family of Florence & see some renaissance art in action. It is truly such beautiful city. I first passed the Duomo, made of a beautiful green and white rock, one of the best cathedrals I have ever seen. Then, passing through some of the city squares, I stopped to dine at “Casa Vin del Santo” a tasty, up-scale Italian restaurant that had some of the best gnocchi I’ve ever eaten & some great drinks as well.
I continued exploring Florence afterwards, first doing some shopping, then visiting the famous flagship store of the pen-maker Visconti, and finally visiting a lot of sites of the Medici Family of Florence. I saw the Medici houses and learned about how Michelangelo, although a brilliant artist, was discovered by the Medici family. I then visited the “Academia Galleria” to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture, David. It was so well detailed – and the amazing thing is people often complain that it’s slightly disproportionate, but don’t realize that the sculpture was meant for the top of the Duomo, and so Michelangelo adjusted the proportions to look perfect for people looking from the ground at the sculpture on the Duomo. After grabbing some local gelato and sitting down for some drinks, I called it a night in Florence, and headed back for my last night in Montecatini.
Thursday, April 12th – This morning, I woke up super excited. One of the things I’ve been looking forward to most over my study abroad experience was a visit to Rome to learn and see the ancient world. I booked an early morning train from Montecatini back to Florence and then from Florence to Rome on First Class—and it didn’t disappoint with several drink and snack services and massive seats.
Arriving in Rome was like something out of the Da Vinci Code. Every step I took, I would run into a monument or ancient ruins where an archaeological dig was taking place. It was surreal. I quickly hopped on the Rome Metro to drop my baggage off at my AirBNB and headed back to the city to grab pasta for lunch as well as some drinks. After the food, I walked around the city and within 5 minutes I ran into the ruins of 4 ancient Roman temples. And to my amazement, it happens to be the spot where Caesar was murdered. I continued my walk through the Roman Forum ruins and to the Colosseum. It was just as tall and magnificent as I had imagined, truly a marvel of Engineering.
After that, I quickly grabbed a bus over the other side of the Tiber River that splits Rome, where it was time for my Ravioli, Fettucine, & Tiramisu cooking class. It was such a wonderful experience to learn from Chef Mimi from Sorrento about authentic Italian cooking, and honestly these recipes are super simple and something I am replicating at home now that I’m back in Paris.
Friday, April 13th – Friday was another amazing day in Rome & my main chance to explore the city. The late morning started with a guided tour of the city, exploring the 2000 year old Pantheon (best preserved Roman structure) and other important landmarks of the city. Following that, my girlfriend and I found an authentic “Roman” restaurant serving Cacio E Pepe, a famous Roman era white sauce that consists of Pecorino Romano Cheese, Salted Water, and Pepper. Oh my god, we fell in love. To this day, we make it for lunch every day!
After grabbing a quick lunch, we headed further to the east side of the Tiber River and to the Vatican City. The beautiful main basilica and its main square was a marvel and so well preserved over the generations. After that, we decided to head in the opposite direction and check out more Roman Ruins, before catching a beautiful sunset over the Colosseum.
Saturday, April 14th – Saturday started of with mixed emotions as it was time to leave Rome. We embarked on an early IC (intercity) train from Rome down into the beginning of Sicily ina small beach city called Milazzo. About six hours into the train ride, I realized that there was no bridge between Italy and Sicily and was really confused about how they would get us there until they put our entire train onto a ferry and hauled it across the water channel!! After arriving in Sicily and taking an hour walk into Milazzo, we enjoyed an amazing sunset on the Mediterranean Sea before making up for the lost sleep from the early morning wakeup.
Sunday, April 15th – Sunday was a typical peaceful “lazy” day. After so much running around, I was happy to just sit by the Mediterranean Sea in the sun and walk around a small Sicilian town that was jam packed with history but rather brimming with people and culture. It was a great day to rewind, enjoy the sun, grab some gelato, and relax.
I know this blog is almost a week late now, but bear with me as the week has just been so busy. Now that I’m back in Paris and bale to reflect on this Italian adventure, I’ll be able to post about my adventures on a more regular timeline! In a few days, I’ll talk about what I’ve been up to over the past week, with a sudden twist that had me back in Paris a few days early, and some of my adventures here.
Ciao,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 12: Wrapping Up & Starting up my Next Travel Adventure
Hello folks! I’m so glad to be back because this week is the start of something big. Excuse me for a this late post, things have been so busy. This blog is about last week & I'll most about my travels this week in the next few days. On Friday last week, begins ENSEA’s second extended two week break. I’ve been planning a 16 day trip backpacking through Italy from the North down to the South. It starts with a train across the French Italian Border into Milan and then down to Tuscany to visit a few Tuscan cities including Florence. After that, I’m most excited to go further south to Rome and experience Roman history & food. Finally, I will travel down into Sicily to spend a few days at the beach in small towns & then a few days on the Aeolian Island of Stromboli. But first, I’ve got to finish out the week strong at ENSEA!
Monday, April 1st – Something I forgot to mention earlier, last we spoke I was still finishing out a week in Germany. Monday was the last day of this trip & an eventful one at that. After an early wake up, I rushed on a local commuter train to Oranienburg, a suburb of Berlin, to visit Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. It was a sobering sight, one that puts everything you’ve learned about the Holocaust into perspective. I got to see firsthand the houses where prisoners were kept, the fields where they labored, the towers of guards that watches over them, and the gas chambers where unspeakable acts were committed. It was truly a scary sight that I will never forget.
After this visit, I got some Italian food for lunch and then visited another piece of the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. Both our critical pieces of Cold War History that were so fun to witness. Finally, I headed back to Berlin Hauptbahnhof Train Station to hop onto an overnight seat car train to Paris Est. It was a very different experience than I’m used to. I’m not sure I would take an overnight train again, after all the noise and lack of personal space, but it was a cool experience, nonetheless.
Tuesday, April 2nd – My overnight train arrived in Paris in the morning right around 10am. After a restless night, it was tough to get up and take the metro back home. After which, I completely crashed until I had to run to French Class at ESNEA in the afternoon. Today was an important day in French Class, we were doing a speaking presentation based on a trip we took in the past tense, and I had spent the overnight train working on it. I was a bit nervous, but I ended up killing it, and then taking the train back home for the night.
Wednesday, April 3rd, Thursday, April 4th & Friday, April 5th – The next few days were smooth and nothing super eventful occurred. I spent most of my time relaxing and studying for a Power Engineering midterm exam that I took on Friday. But Friday evening was packed – packing up and getting everything ready for the trip to Italy. I was taking a large 60L trekking bag that was perfect for this sort of European backpacking adventure. I ended up getting a midnight dinner with some friends after packing up and getting a good night’s sleep before the next day’s journey.
Saturday, April 6th – A record high temperature for the spring in Paris today kicked off the morning. It was 70 degrees F around 10am, when I went out for a quick walk. I then grabbed my bag and headed to Paris Est for my afternoon train. It was a wild train ride. First a TGV train to the nearest French border town that took around 4 hours. Then, they put us on a bus to cross the border, because of a huge avalanche that compromised the tracks last year. The train met us on the other side and took us through to Turin and into Milan. By the time I arrived it was midnight, so I had time to grab a quick dinner at a bar and then crash.
Sunday, April 7th – Sunday was a beautiful day in Milan. I got ready in my summer clothes (finally a break from the usual cold of Paris), and headed to an amazing brunch place, Biancolatte, to enjoy some coffee, pastries, and pasta. Afterwards, I spent the day exploring the sites at the center of Milan, specifically the Duomo, the Galleria, and Navigli canal. It was a day of shopping & food, representative of Milan.
Next week, I’ll use the Italian train system to traverse cities & villages across Italy as I make my way southward!! Thanks for reading.
Ciao,
Abhi Athreya
ENSEA at Cergy, France
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
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Abhi in Paris
Week 11: Ein Spasser Woche in Deutschland!
Hey everyone! Welcome back to my blog. I’m super excited to be writing about this past week – it was action packed & incredibly fulfilling. After a few classes at the beginning of the week, I spent the rest of the week & Easter weekend in Deutschland (Germany)! Honestly, this is a dream trip for me. I took German for 7 years in Middle & High School, and although, I’m not the greatest I can still have basic conversations. So, I was super excited to explore everything I’d read about Germany in high school & hopefully speak some German.
Monday, March 25th - As you know by now, my week’s often start with the usual classes. This week it was a Communication Systems lab on Monday and a French class on Tuesday. Communication Systems was super interesting. We did a lab on FM Waves, as well as how to create them, and how to “read” them – otherwise known as modulation & demodulation. The really cool part is after the lab, we used our demodulator circuit to demodulate an actual FM signal from a nearby radio station in Cergy! Honestly, I’ve been learning so much about Electrical Engineering, and it’s so different to Aerospace Engineering, which I’m used to!
Tuesday, March 26th – As I mentioned, today I had French in the evening. But before that, I grabbed some flowers from the local boutique shop and met my girlfriend as she returned from her trip back to the US. I’ve mentioned her on here a lot before, but she’s studying with me in Paris! She was back in the US this past week for some internship related stuff, but now she’s back and we’re gearing up for our next trip. Anyway, after saying hi, I made my way back to Cergy for French class. And our homework for next week is to make a speech in French about our travels and present it to the class. I’m so nervous!! After French, I was able to get into the gym and start packing for my Deutschland trip!
Wednesday, March 27th – My trip to Deutschland began as most of my trips begin, an early morning train. After a TGV train to Karlsruhe Hbf, the first border city train station from Paris to Germany, I hopped on some local trains and made it to Stuttgart, my first stop of the trip.
I was particularly excited for this first stop – back in the 90s, my mom lived in Stuttgart for a few years working for a large Engineering firm Bosch that is headquarter here and has a presence in every corner of the city. I’ve spent a summer interning for Bosch in their US headquarters near Ann Arbor, so this has even more significance. They are famous for supplying car manufacturers with almost everything, being the primary Engineering firm behind Mercedes F1, and for their amazing appliances. Anyway, my first stop was a quick visit to my mom’s old office just because she was nostalgic :)
After that, I explored the Porsche Museum, seeing everything from their first cars to their famous Le Man cars and modern roadsters and SUVs. Then, I visited the Stuttgart Fernsehstrum – a 200+ meter TV tower with an elevator that gets you to the top in under a minute. From there, I had some incredible views of the city. Finally, I capped the day with some amazing food and a few drinks.
Thursday, March 28th – The thing about this trip is – I’m going somewhere new almost every day! And today was no exception. Today, I was going deeper into the German state of Baden-Wuertenburg down into the Schwarzwald or Black Forest. There’s an amazing town in this quaint forest called Titisee on the banks of Lake Titisee. The town is world renowned for Cuckoo Clocks from local Schwarzwald wood.
After 3 early morning trains, I arrived in Titisee right around noon. Truly an incredible quaint town nestled in the forest. I got to walk around Lake Titisee, visit local watch and cuckoo clock dealerships and even see one of the worlds largest cuckoo clocks – the size of a 2 story building. It was an action packed day that ended with a night’s rest at a charming guest house in the town run by a sweet German couple.
Friday, March 29th – Yet again, today was no exception to the rule. I got up early in the morning for a train ride to München in Bayern! The trains were so confusing with all the connecting. I got to the station and got onto my train only to realize an hour later that there was two halves to the same train each splitting to go in different directions, and I got on the wrong half :( After taking the next train back to Titisee, I started on my commute again, first from Titisee to another small town Donnaulingen, then to Ulm, then on to München.
After arriving in the afternoon, I enjoyed a few local beers from a 500+ year old brewery by the river side. Then, I got to explore the main city plaza and adjacent cathedral. Finally, I capped things off with a relaxing dinner and an early night to catch up on sleep.
Saturday, March 30th – Today was a special day – ever seen the Disney Cinderella’s Castle? Well, I was about to see the real castle that it was heavily inspired from, Neuschwanstein.
It was built by Ludwig II, the king of Bavaria in the late 1800s. He revered the medieval kings of France, especially Louis XIV, so he built a beautiful Cinderella style medieval castle nestled in the Ammergau mountains right above his father’s own castle, Hoehenschwangau. After an early morning bus for a few hours, I visited the Marienbrucke, a bridge located between two peaks of the Ammergau mountains from which the views of Neuschwanstein are absolutely spectacular. It truly does look like a real Disney movie, look at the photo yourself! I also go to visit another castle of Ludwig, the Linderhof Castle.
Finally, I capped off the day by visiting the village of Oberammergau, a village situated just north of the Ammergau mountain. This trip was especially significant to me because back in the day in my German class in high school, we used to sing a song called “Oberammergau/Unterammergau,” a local Bavarian folk song.
Sunday, March 31st – Once again, an early morning super speed ICE Deutsche Bahn train led me to Berlin. After an afternoon arrival, I explored an art market and then join a “rude bastards” tour, where the tour guide “kept it real” and was “mean” to everyone on the tour.
It was the best thing ever. This tour guide told us real facts, kept us laughing the whole time, and knew so much about the city. We saw all the main attractions from the Berlin Wall to the Luftwaffe Building, the Welt Balloon, Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten, and so much more. After grabbing a few Berlin based beers with the tour guide, I grabbed some dinner, and crashed after a super long day.
Tomorrow is Easter Monday, and I’ve got one last day in Berlin, which I’ll talk about in my blog next week! I’m looking forward to an overnight train back Monday night arriving Tuesday morning, before hitting class again Tuesday afternoon.
This week has been a dream – seeing all the things I spent so many years learning about and immersing myself in the language too! Thanks so much for reading and look out next week where I finish out this trip.
Auf Weidersehen,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 10: Parisian Adventures
Hey everyone, welcome back to Week 10 of my blog! It feels crazy to think about the fact that I've been here for 10 weeks now - oh my god, the time is flying. And funny enough, from the Scottish Highlands to the Volcanos of the Canary Islands, one of the few things I haven't done so much is explore Paris. It's a massive city with so much to explore, and although I feel I've seen other parts of Europe really well, I know that Paris has so much more to offer. So, this week I'm going on Paris adventures - from learning more about the bakery scene to trying out new bars and meeting new people. So here we go...
Monday, March 18th - Monday began as a usual start to the week. I got a morning cycling class in before making my way to ENSEA in Cergy, France for my afternoon classes that day. I got my first ever midterms back, and I'm proud to say I didn't fail :) I was able to come back from class and catch a few hours of TV relaxation.
Tuesday, March 19th - Tuesdays are always the worst! I have a morning class at 8am, which means I wake up at 6am to make the hour and a half commute up to school. After one class, I have a six hour break before by three hour french class. It's so tough because if I got back to Paris for the break I only have two hours there, and if I stay in ENSEA, I don't have much to do. It's always a coin toss, but today I went back to Cergy, managed to hit the gym and grab lunch, before heading back up to ENSEA for my evening French class. After a tiring day of class, I always make my way back, cook up some pasta for dinner, and then crash.
Wednesday, March 20th & Thursday, March 21st - I'm gonna gloss over these two days a little bit, because as luck would have it I caught a cold. Somehow, I recovered pretty quick, but I was out for most of Wednesday & Thursday.
Friday, March 22nd - Friday was so fun! I started the day with a French Culture class, where our new Professor, started the clas by giving us some French treats from the Brittany region of France. After that, we had an amazing discussion of French work benefits, and hoenstly, after I heard what she had to say, I have to say I was tempted to move to France permanently. Here's a quick summary of what the average university graduate in a full time rolled (called Cadre or CDI in France) gets:
35 Hour Work Week & Any Extra work above that can be claimed in the form of extra vacation time later
5 weeks paid vacation per year, 11 public holidays, bonus Mondays & Fridays off when public holidays are on Tuesday/Thursday, 16/20 week paid maternity leave & 2 week paid paternity leave, 2 week paid leave if your child is ill, 1 week paid leave if you get married, and the list goes on!
Once you get hired as Cadre, it is literally impossible to get fired unless you commit a felony - in fact the french have a phrase that goes "to put in a cupboard" because its easier to silo a bad employee into a meaningless role (cupboard) than to fire them
Incredible social security type pension benefits
Free Public Insurance that covers a lot of things including all life-threatening ailments like caner & private insurance that costs 150-200 euros a month for a family of four
This is all a super longwinded way to say that the benefits in France are incredible. Anyway, after class I managed to go to the gym and relax for a few hours. That night, I went to a warehouse party in the 19th arrondissement with some friends in ENSEA. Man do the Europeans never quit - I was there until 5am!
Saturday, March 23rd - Saturday was a late start given the events of the previous night :) After grabbing a Portugese delicacy "Pastel de Nata" with friends from ENSEA, I came back home around noon and took a fat nap. I woke up without much homework to do and spent the evening going down a weird rabbit hole of algorithmic forex trading, working on building my own trading bot. Just a really random and weird evening.
Anyway, that night the same friends from ENSEA made thier way back to Paris, where we had a few drinks and played some card games. We then explored a youthful area of Paris known as "Bastille." It was amazing meeting a bunch of exchange students like us there!
Sunday, March 24th - As you might imagine, after the last two late nights. Sunday was a recovery day. I woke up super late, managed to get to the gym, and just spent the rest of the time catching up on homework.
For me, this was a week to explore in Paris, something I haven't had much of a chance to do with all the travel across Europe. But don't worry, next week I'm back off to the races with a 6 day trip across Germany!
A plus tard,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 9: A Scottish Adventure
Hey everyone! Back again with another adventure. This week I spent a few days in Scotland & Ireland for Saint Patrick's Day! It was an amazing week filled with adventure & learning.
March 11th, Monday - The week began with a typical Monday grind, but with a twist—a midterm exam in communication systems. I grinded out some last minute studying on the train to class. Honestly, I didn't do so bad. After the exam, I decided to switch things up and try out a French cycling class. Despite the language barrier, I found myself caught up in the rhythm of the class, following along as best as I could. I've done Cyclebar in the US so that definitely helped!
March 12th, Tuesday - Tuesday brought another round of classes in the morning, followed by a French lesson in the evening. It's been a journey with French, but I'm starting to feel more confident with each passing day. Parisians are super judgy about speaking good French, but I'm still putting myself out there. In the afternoon, I managed to squeeze in a quick gym session between classes too. Just a super tiring day with a lot of commuting and class though!
March 13th, Wednesday - The real adventure began on Wednesday as I set off for Edinburgh. The journey took me through picturesque landscapes, and I arrived in the late afternoon, eager to explore this historic city. After checking into my accommodation, I decided to grab dinner at a cozy Italian restaurant. Oh my god, some of the best food I have ever eaten. As evening fell, I took a leisurely stroll down Princes Street, taking in the sights and sounds of Edinburgh. It's truly one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited.
March 14th, Thursday - Thursday was all about diving into Edinburgh's rich history. I started the day with a visit to Edinburgh Castle, where I learned about the fascinating life of Mary, Queen of Scots. If you've ever watched the TV show on Amazon Prime Video "Reign," you'd be as psyched as me. Mary's father, James V, died wile she was just a child and so Mary was the technical ruler of Scotland since she was a child. Her mother governed as Queen Regent when she was a child and sent her to France, where she had a more quaint childhood. Truly a great Queen & a great TV Show too. The castle's towering walls and sweeping views offered a glimpse into Scotland's storied past. In the afternoon, I embarked on a whiskey tour at the Holyrood Distillery, where I had the opportunity to sample some "new make" and sherry cask aged whiskies. It was amazing to learn about every stage of the Whiskey making process & see it happen. It was a sensory experience unlike any other, and I left with a newfound appreciation for Scotland's renowned spirit. I even got a bottle of Scotch for my dad! Afterwards, I took a sporadic late night bus to Inverness, Scotland, the capital of the Scottish Highlands!
March 15th, Friday - Rain or shine, I was determined to make the most of my time in Scotland. Despite the dreary weather, I embarked on a two-hour trek through the rain to Loch Ness. The lake's tranquil beauty was mesmerizing, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe in its presence. Despite the lack of a Nessie sighting, the experience was unforgettable. A huge 37 mile long lake with complete stillness in the water & no one in sight for miles - truly tranquil. In the evening, I made my way back to Edinburgh, where I caught a flight to Cork, Ireland, just in time for the weekend.
March 16th, Saturday - Saturday in Cork was all about immersing myself in Irish culture. With St. Patrick's Day celebrations in full swing, the city was alive with energy and excitement. I spent the day exploring Cork's charming streets, sampling Irish whiskey, Guinness, and cider along the way. The Thomond Bar was the perfect spot to soak in the festivities, surrounded by locals and fellow travelers alike. I got to enjoy a French vs England Rugby match at the bar, where I found the Irish passionately supporting the French, yelling "Alle Le Bleu" or "Go the Blue (French)!"
March 17th, Sunday - As the week came to a close, I found myself back in Paris, reflecting on the whirlwind of experiences I had encountered. To cap off the week, I joined my ENSEA friends for a night out at O'Sullivans Bar. A fun night that involved a bartender sliding across the bar.
In hindsight, this week was a perfect blend of academic challenges and cultural exploration. From navigating exams and classes to soaking in the sights and flavors of Scotland and Ireland, each day brought with it new experiences and memories that I will cherish for years to come.
Bientot,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 8: Grinding & Going 13,000 feet high!
Hi folks, I'm back again with a life update. This week was filled everything from grinding for labs & exams to going to the top of the French Alps :) Europe has SO much to offer, Iove it!
Monday: Diving into ENSEA's Lab (March 4th)
Monday marked the beginning of a typical week at ENSEA, but with a twist—a dive into the world of communication systems labs. At ENSEA, our labs are equipped with cutting-edge circuits, sparing us the hassle of fumbling with breadboards. Armed with a signal generator and spectrum analyzer, I delved into the intricacies of signal processing, the hum of machinery adding to the excitement of my first lab experience at ENSEA.
Tuesday: Bonjour to Progress (March 5th)
Tuesday brought with it a sense of progress as I delved deeper into my French studies. The evening was dedicated to conjugating verbs and mastering the art of giving directions, a testament to the strides I've made since arriving in France. Honestly, I'm proud of myself. I've gone from being completely lost to only being slightly lost :) Anyway, after class, I went back home to make gnocchi with a cream & tomato sauce and sip on some French wine.
Wednesday: Lost and Found in Geneva (March 6th)
Wednesday dawned with the promise of adventure as I embarked on a journey to Geneva aboard the TGV Lyria. A small hiccup at the train station—mistakenly heading to Gare de l'Est instead of Gare de Lyon—only added to the thrill of the adventure as I narrowly caught my train.
Arriving in Geneva, I was greeted by the breathtaking beauty of Lake Geneva and the iconic Jet d'Eau. The city's old town beckoned with its labyrinthine streets and centuries-old architecture, while the allure of luxury watch boutiques and designer stores added a touch of glamour to my explorations. A leisurely dinner at a charming Italian eatery in the heart of the old town offered a taste of Geneva's culinary delights, though the city's prices served as a reminder of its upscale reputation. Geneva is something else - there's no poverty, the streets are sparkling. I couldn't find a single grocery store, but saw a million boutiques and designer store. And to top it all of, the price of anything is absolutely insane. You'd have to be a millionaire to live there.
Thursday: Scaling Heights in Chamonix (March 7th)
Thursday was a day of adrenaline-fueled adventure as I journeyed to Chamonix, a spot for outdoor enthusiasts nestled amidst the towering peaks of the French Alps. Opting for a hike up Aiguille du Midi, the height of the French Alps, I found myself navigating treacherous icy paths and sheer cliffs—a thrilling yet nerve-wracking experience for someone not accustomed to such terrain.
Reaching the summit via the Telepherique de L'Aiguille du Midi (a cable car that scales up 10,000 feet), I was rewarded with sweeping vistas of the majestic Mont Blanc massif and the surrounding alpine landscape. Standing atop the glass box jutting out from the base station, I felt a rush of exhilaration mingled with awe—a moment suspended between earth and sky, a testament to the raw power and beauty of nature.
Friday: Back to ENSEA's Grind (March 8th)
Friday saw me returning to the routine of classes at ENSEA, where I immersed myself in the world of power engineering lectures and labs. For the first time, I had the opportunity to work with high-powered lab equipment. It's the equipment used for power transmission in the real world, not the normal miniature circuits we use in lab.
Saturday: Versailles: A Window to France's Glorious Past (March 9th)
Saturday was dedicated to exploring the opulent splendor of the Palace of Versailles—a testament to France's rich history and grandeur. From the glittering Hall of Mirrors to the meticulously manicured gardens, every corner of Versailles had a deep history of the French monarchy. It was one of the most beautiful palaces I've ever seen!
Sunday: Rest and Reflection (March 10th)
Sunday offered a much-needed respite from the whirlwind of travel and adventure. With a visit to the gym and a tough cycling class, I took the time to recharge. I spent the evening catching up on work and grinding for an exam the next day!
My goal is to never stay still. I've only got so much time here! So, next week, I'm off to Edinburgh, Scotland, and then Cork, Ireland for Saint Patrick's Day!
À plus tard!
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 7: A Week of Returning, Surprising, and Exploring
Hello everyone! I'm back again with my weekly update :) I'm back from my backpacking adventure of Spain & Portugal, super tired, but ready for what's next. Here's an update on this week of recovery & celebration.
Monday: Back to Routine (February 26th)
Monday was all about shaking off the tiredness from my recent travels and getting back into the swing of things at ENSEA. My communication systems class in the afternoon was my first dive back into schoolwork after the break. It felt odd to be back but also kind of exciting to see what the rest of the semester holds. After class, I went to see a piano performance at the Paris Philharmonie. It was a nice way to ease back into my Paris life, and a thrilling performance. I can't wait to be back at the Philharmonie again!
Tuesday: Sneha's Birthday Surprise (February 27th)
I had a full day of classes on Tuesday, starting with Signals & Systems and then a three-hour French class. It's my every Tuesday routine, but one that I definitely don't look forward to with all the classes I have in a row. But the real highlight of my day was heading to CDG airport to pick up my girlfriend, Sneha. It was her 21st birthday at midnight, and I had planned a surprise trip to Venice for her. She had no idea where we were going until we landed. We managed to check into our place and then went out to try some local drinks to celebrate her birthday. It was a great start to our mini-adventure for her birthday!
Wednesday: Discovering Venice (February 28th)
On Wednesday, Sneha and I explored Venice thoroughly. We visited St. Mark's Cathedral, marveling at its history and architecture. Wandering around Venice, we took in the sights of the Grand Canal and ended up on a romantic gondola ride, which was definitely a highlight. We celebrated her birthday with a nice lunch and some Italian drinks. It was an unforgettable day in a city that feels like it's straight out of a storybook. Venice is the most beautiful & perplexing city ever. It's an island structure, built on top of a lagoon a few miles off of main land Italy. In order to habit the area, the settler had to lay up thousands of wooden pillars in the lagoon, on which to build the city. This begs the question, didn't ancient Italians have something better to do than make an island. Anyway, for all their hard work, it was an incredible beautiful (albeit rainy) day in Venice.
Thursday: Heading Home (March 1st)
Our journey back to Paris on Thursday was long and a bit tiring. We caught a train to the airport via Trenitalia, flew to Beauvais Airport, and then took a bus and metro to get back home. It was a full day of travel, but the memories from Venice made it all worth it. We got back around 7pm, tired but happy from our trip.
Friday: Recovery Day (March 2nd)
Friday was my day to catch up on rest and get back on track with school. I didn't have any classes, so it was a good day to relax and reflect on the past week's adventures.
Saturday & Sunday: Weekend Routine (March 3rd - 4th)
The weekend was pretty low-key. I did some chores around my place, which reminded me that adulting can be tough. I also took some time to relax, cook pasta, and start thinking about where I might travel next. Despite the busy week, it was nice to have some downtime to recharge and plan for the future.
This week was spent (for the most part) recovering from the crazy adventures of the past three weeks. But every week has it's own adventures. This week that was being introduced to classical music & trying to understand Italian :) Stay tuned as I continue my study abroad--next up, Geneva, Strasbourg, Edinburgh, and Cork here I come.
A plus,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA at Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 6: Discovering the Vibrant Heart of Spain & Portugal
Hey folks, I’m back here to detail the last week of my Spain & Portugal. After that, it’s back to ENSEA & Paris! I spent the week super busy in Madrid. Seville, Granada, Lisbon, and Porto.
Madrid: A Royal Welcome (February 16th - 17th)
February 16th - Arrival in Madrid
On the brisk morning of February 16th, after a swift transition from Barcelona, I found myself aboard the FrecciaRossa Iryo train, cutting through the Spanish landscape at an astonishing speed of 310 kmph towards Madrid. The Spanish capital greeted me with its grandeur and vibrant street life. My exploration began at the Royal Palace, a magnificent testament to Spain's rich monarchic history, which, with its 3,418 rooms, stands as one of Europe's largest palaces. The Plaza España, with its towering monument to Miguel de Cervantes, offered a perfect backdrop for an evening stroll, encapsulating the majestic aura of Madrid.
February 17th - Day Trip to Avila & Segovia
The following day, I embarked on a journey through time, visiting the ancient cities of Avila and Segovia. Avila's imposing Roman walls, stretching over 2.5 km and punctuated by 88 towers, encircle the old town, offering a glimpse into medieval Spain. In Segovia, the colossal Roman aqueduct, an architectural marvel of ancient engineering, took my breath away. I also saw the exquisite craftsmanship of the Spanish forged swords, a testament to the city's metallurgical heritage. The day was perfectly rounded off with a series of delightful tapas.
Seville: A Walk Among Oranges (February 18th - 20th)
February 18th - Arrival in Seville
The journey to Seville on the morning of February 18th introduced me to the unexpected charm of navigating challenges. A hiccup with public transport led me on a 30-minute walk to my Airbnb, a stroll that became one of my most cherished memories, thanks to the orange trees lining the streets. Their bitter fruit, tempting yet inedible, became a symbol of the city's unique allure, planted by the Islamic tribes of Africa when they conquered Andalusia for the majority of its human history.
February 19th - Exploring Seville
Today, was my change to explore Seville. It’s filled with monuments that are a testament to the 5 different conquers that ruled the city and brought their own cultures: The Iberians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Spanish. The Seville Cathedral, a colossal Gothic structure, and the Real Alcazar, with its intricate Moorish architecture and verdant gardens, narrated stories of a city where Christian and Muslim histories intertwine in a beautiful mosaic.
February 20th - A Day Trip to Granada
An early start took me to Granada, where the Alhambra awaited with its red-tinted walls against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. The Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens whispered tales of a bygone era, their beauty a testament to Islamic art and architecture's enduring legacy. This was such a tiring day, but one of the most rewarding. Alhambra is situated on a mountain, and climbing up and down was taxing, but couldn’t be more worth it. The views from the highest tower of The Alhambra show a vivid picture of the whole city of Granada.
Lisbon: A Melody of Traditions (February 21st - 22nd)
I woke up with another early morning and caught the first bus to Faro, Portugal. Then, the journey from Faro to Lisbon, though slow, set the pace for a discovery of Lisbon's serene beauty. The city's landmarks, from the Belem Tower to the Jeronimos Monastery, unfolded like chapters of history, each more compelling than the last. A fado performance in the heart of Lisbon, coupled with a glass of port wine from a chapel bell tower's vantage point, offered a harmonious blend of Portuguese culture and tradition, set against the panoramic canvas of the city.
Porto: A Toast to Memories (February 23rd - 24th)
February 23rd - Arrival in Porto
Lisbon went by really quick, and it was soon time to move to Porto. The Alfa Pendular train's swift journey to Porto marked the beginning of the final chapter of my travels. Porto, with its Douro River and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, presented a picturesque setting that was both vibrant and steeped in history. A visit to a historic fountain pen shop dating back to 1829 was a highlight, where a silver Caran d'Ache fountain pen became a treasured keepsake, a symbol of my journey through the rich tapestry of Spain and Portugal.
February 24th - Departure
As I boarded my flight home on the evening of the 24th, I reflected on the past week's adventures. Each city, with its unique charm, had offered a glimpse into the soul of Spain and Portugal, leaving me with memories that would last a lifetime. This journey, chronicled with every stroke of my new fountain pen, was not just a travelogue but a journey of discovery, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
I couldn’t be more excited to sleep in my own bed in Paris, and rest after such a long trip. And of course, I’m looking forward to my next adventures in Venice, Geneva, & Strasbourg!
Hasta Luego,
Abhinav Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 5: A Week of Sun, Sand, and Spontaneity in Tenerife!
Hey there, fellow adventurers! Abhi here, back with another chapter of my European travels. Buckle up because this week, I traded the bustling streets of Barcelona for the sunny beaches of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
February 11: Touchdown in Paradise
After bidding adieu to Barcelona, I boarded a flight bound for Tenerife. As the plane descended, I could already feel the warmth and humidity of the Canary Islands. Landing around 8 o'clock, I wasted no time in making my way to the cozy Airbnb nestled just off the picturesque Playa de Las Vistas. With the ocean as my backdrop, I indulged in an amazing three-course dinner for 12 euros. That’s the first thing I noticed about Tenerife , inflation just hasn’t reached. The prices here were cheaper than anywhere else in Europe, and I wasn’t gonna waste that!
February 12: Beach Bliss
I couldn’t wait for a day on the beach! With my partner-in-crime, Sneha, by my side, I spent the entire day lounging under an umbrella, savoring every moment of the sun. Lunch was a delight, filled with refreshing strawberry daiquiris. Evening strolls along the shore and a dip in the ocean capped off a perfect day in paradise.
February 13: Conquering Mount Teide
Today was all about exploration as we embarked on a 10-hour tour of Tenerife. Our destination? The majestic Mount Teide, the towering volcano that shaped this island paradise. From its rugged slopes to the remnants of past eruptions, every moment was beautiful. We saw the sight of the last volcanic eruptions as well how they changed the island and its people. Then, we drove to the spot of a large eruption, where the lava touching the ocean had created natural swimming pools. The water was clear blue and swimming there was magical. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we returned to the beach.
February 14: Love, Laughter, and Tattoo
Love was in the air on Valentine's Day, and what better way to celebrate than with sand between our toes. Sneha and I decided to commemorate the occasion with a spontaneous decision: tattoos! Meeting our talented artist, Gabriel, was a stroke of luck, and before we knew it, we were getting inked. I got a tattoo of a lion on my arm! We wrapped up the day with a romantic dinner at Fiore, an italian restaurant completely decorated in flowers. It was a great meal and an even greater experience.
As the sun sets on another week of exploration, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience the wonders of Tenerife. From its golden beaches to its volcanic peaks, this island paradise is one I’m gonna remember forever. I’m so excited for my adventure ahead, traveling through Andalusia and the. to Portugal.
Hasta Luego,
Abhi
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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Abhi in Paris
Week 4: Birthday Celebrations in Barcelona
Hey there, fellow adventurers! It's Abhi here, currently soaking up the European experience at ENSEA in Cergy, France. Buckle up because I'm about to take you on a whirlwind journey through my action-packed week in Europe, specifically focusing the start of my thrilling escapades through Spain!
Preparations for a Grand Adventure:
The week kicked off with the usual routine of classes and studies, diving deep into the fascinating world of electrical engineering theory and brushing up on my beginner French skills. But amidst the lectures and assignments, excitement was brewing as I geared up for a 17-day odyssey across Spain and Portugal.
Countdown to Departure:
With Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday dedicated to meticulous planning and packing, I ensured every detail of my adventure was carefully orchestrated. From mapping out the itinerary to securing transportation, nothing was left to chance as I eagerly anticipated the journey ahead. It’s a lot of work! Making sure 7 AirBNBs are booked and sorted - figuring out 7 different public transportations systems, and coordinating all the travel. But, I couldn’t be more excited.
Setting Off for Spain:
Bright and early on Thursday morning, I bid adieu to Paris and embarked on the first leg of my expedition. Thanks to Transavia, a new low-cost carrier, I jetted off to the vibrant city of Barcelona with nothing but a backpack.
Day 1: Exploring Barcelona's Charms:
Touching down in Barcelona, I wasted no time immersing myself in the city's rich history and culture. From wandering through the enchanting Gothic Quarter to marveling at Roman ruins, every corner of Barcelona revealed a new adventure waiting to unfold.
Day 2: A Feast for the Senses at La Sagrada Familia:
The following day was a whirlwind of architectural wonder as I beheld the breathtaking beauty of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's magnum opus. With its awe-inspiring spires and intricate facades, this iconic cathedral left me spellbound, reaffirming Barcelona's status as a haven for art and design enthusiasts.
Day 3: Wine Tasting and Birthday Celebrations:
As luck would have it, my third day in Barcelona coincided with my birthday, adding an extra layer of excitement to my adventures. After a day of exploring, I embarked on a journey to Montserrat, where ancient monasteries and sweeping vistas awaited. And what better way to cap off the day than with a wine tasting at Oller de Mars, followed by a romantic dinner with my girlfriend, Sneha!
More Adventures to Come:
And there you have it, folks – a week packed to the brim with unforgettable experiences and cherished memories. But the adventure is far from over! With Tenerife, Madrid, and beyond beckoning, I can't wait to see what the next leg of my journey has in store. Stay tuned for more tales of exploration, discovery, and endless excitement as I continue to traverse the wonders of Europe. Until next time, keep wandering and never stop seeking adventure!
Hasta Luego,
Abhi Athreya
University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering 2025
ENSEA in Cergy, France
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