Eric Hoffpauir

Favorite Lunch in the AUP Campus Area

Bar du Central – The brasserie is beautiful, the waitstaff is courteous and efficient, and the food is simply perfect. (I recommend the confit de canard!) You also get some great people-watching from the foot traffic along the Rue Saint-Dominique, if you sit outside or along the broad front windows.

One place in Paris everyone should visit

You really can’t go wrong wandering in any part of Paris, but I’m partial to the Marais in the 4th Arr. It has lots of narrow streets with colorful restaurants and storefronts, and like much of Paris, you will constantly find delights if you allow your eyes to wander along buildings just above the street level, or in the cobblestones of the sidewalk. It can be crowded in the Marais, but that’s both a testament to its vibrance and something else to behold in the neighborhood.

Advice for students thinking about coming to AUP or going abroad for college

You can’t put a price on the life skills and confidence earned from studying with a group of people from diverse backgrounds who are also navigating life in a different country. Each day can be an exercise in problem-solving, communication skills, cultural awareness, and networking, often all at the same time. You’ll also gain a deeper sense and appreciation of self, examining and re-examining your own habits and family traditions, which can take on a new importance when separated from your home culture. Imagine experiencing this growth in Paris, the most beautiful city in the world!