IE School of Humanities students explore Paris through an immersive cultural experience
Students explored the socio-cultural forces that have shaped Paris as a model of modern urban life.
Second-year students at IE School of Humanities discovered the cultural and historical fabric of Paris through a voluntary immersion week during Spring Break. Designed under the theme ‘Urban Spectacle, Culture, and Entertainment’, the program invited students to experience the French capital as a dynamic laboratory for applying their knowledge of art history and the humanities.
During the week, participants explored the socio-cultural forces that have shaped Paris as a model of modern urban life, with visits to key cultural institutions such as the Château de Versailles, the Musée Carnavalet, and the Musée d’Orsay. Guided tours and site visits also traced the city’s 19th-century transformation and its enduring influence on contemporary urban culture.
"Experiencing the opera house in person demonstrated how audiences became part of the spectacle, gathering not only to watch but also to be seen", said Shana Cooperstein, reflecting on the experience.
Led by Patrick de Oliveira and Shana Cooperstein, Assistant Professors at IE University, the program reinforced the School’s commitment to experiential learning and the development of globally minded, culturally aware graduates.
"While one can read about these transformations in books and learn about them in class, it’s another kind of experience to see how these transformations actually shaped the city and interrogate the power dynamics that gave form to what is arguably the most iconic city in the world", said Patrick de Oliveira.
"Great people and meaningful academic insights made this an enriching spring break experience. The trip offered a perfect balance of intellectual discovery and cultural immersion, making it both enjoyable and memorable", said Leopold Schmal, a Bachelor in the Humanities student.