Ariel Stark '19
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in San Diego, California.
Does Paris feel like home? If so,
how did you make it your own? What kind of challenges have you faced, and how
have you overcome them?
I feel like Paris, or France in general, has
become my home. I lived in New York City before moving here, where there was so
much energy all of the time. It was exhausting. When I came to France, I felt
like I could breathe again and appreciate the smaller, simpler things in my
life. The language was the most difficult part of the move. In order to learn,
you have to put yourself out there and make mistakes all of the time. It’s a
very humbling experience. And pretty much everyone speaks English in Paris, so
you really have to put in the effort to practice on a day-to-day basis. But
once you do, everything is seen in a new light.
What
three words would you use to describe the Parsons Paris community?
Strong,
diverse, fulfilling.