Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon.
What languages do you speak?
I am fluent in French, Arabic, and English.
Why did you choose Parsons Paris?
I chose Parsons to be part of its artist community, which I found diverse, unique, and beautifully uncommon. Although it was tempting to go live in New York and study at the main campus, Paris was more comforting,
since I have visited many times before. As the first one in my family to ever leave the country for university, I felt that Parsons Paris was an experience I was ready to have!
What classes are you enjoying?
I enjoyed the Time class taught by Kathleen Ritter in the first year, since I found a new interest in video making. I am currently taking an elective course, The Making of Paris, taught by Stephanie Nadalo, that
I love, since I am learning a lot about the city I live in! Since I am minoring in Creative Entrepreneurship, I also take business-related classes like Introduction to Political Economy, taught by David Duhamel, which is very engaging.
How has Paris inspired you in your projects and classes?
Paris is as inspiring as it is beautiful. It is also a lively place, and seeing the accomplishments it has housed over the years motivates me to do better projects and encourages me to
elaborate on my ideas and not do the strict minimum.
What do you do with your time outside of school?
I hope by the time people read this, we'll be able to go out again. During my time outside of school, I work with some organizations located in Beirut. Still, I try to enjoy the city as much
as possible by going to museums and exploring new neighborhoods, whether it's by going to a restaurant, to a museum, or just on a walk. Going on walks has been my main activity during the lockdown; I find it very therapeutic and a great way to remind
myself that there's life out there.
What does your typical weekend look like?
When not in lockdown, on weekends, I try to work as little as possible and enjoy my day by going to parks. One advantage of living in Paris is that there are many places to discover outside of the city
that are accessible by transport. So far, I have gone on day trips to Versailles, Barbizon, and Fontainebleau. At night, I enjoy the typical Parisian lifestyle of going to bars and restaurants.
What advice would you give incoming students?
Don't believe the stereotypes of Paris and Parisians! It can be intimidating to meet people outside of school and go to new places, especially if you don't speak the language. During the pandemic,
I learned to appreciate what the city has to offer, whether art, history, food, landscapes, parks, or experiences, and I would advise people to do the same!
I would also like to add that Parsons Paris offers a lot of opportunities for gaining professional experience. I worked at the Oscar de la Renta showroom during Fashion Week, and I was also able to get an internship for the summer of 2021.
to offer, whether art, history, food, landscapes, parks, or experiences, and I would advise people to do the same!
I would also like to add that Parsons Paris offers a lot of opportunities for gaining professional experience. I worked at the Oscar de la Renta showroom during Fashion Week, and I was also able to get an internship for the summer of 2021.