Naromie André' 16

Why did you decide to study at Parsons Paris?
I chose the History of Design and Curatorial Studies program because the structure of the program was right for me. The program is geared toward two paths — further studies, such as a PhD, or working in the curation field. Having these options was important to me when I considered where to attend. The program’s alignment with both academia and industry means that it has the academic rigor as well as the hands-on curation approach I need to work in museums, galleries, exhibitions, and the art world in general. The icing on the cake was the chance to fully immerse myself in learning the French language, a lifelong goal that I could not pass up.

Why did you decide to pursue a master’s degree?
Before deciding to pursue the MA, I was a consultant at a top financial consulting firm in London. I guess you could say I was climbing the corporate ladder. But my path changed completely when I began to spend more time at art and design museums in London, particularly the Victoria and Albert. I couldn’t resist this urge I had to intimately know more about these objects and pieces I was looking at. Given my academic and professional background, the MA at Parsons Paris was the correct level at which to begin my studies in decorative arts and design history.

What were your favorite classes?
History of Museums and Collections
Survey of Decorative Arts I  
Fashion, History, and Mediation

How did living in Paris affect your experience and your studies?
The City of Lights is definitely a magnificent place; it is architecturally stunning, but it also has grit. It is this grit that surprised me and inspired me most to think differently about the decorative arts and how I would approach my studies.

Did you have any internship experience?
During summer 2015, I interned at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta in its Decorative Arts and Design group, where I researched objects bequeathed to the contemporary craft collection.

How would you describe your experience at Parsons Paris?
No other school offers the support network that we have at Parsons Paris. Everything you need to succeed is available, from having a baguette with your professors, access to and collaborations with Paris' best museum and institutions, art fairs, and entrepreneur-artist talks to showings at the professionally run student gallery. It is a consistent 360-degree network of people who are concerned and invested in your success. The support system that the Paris campus has put together to develop me for both academia and the work world is unlike anything I've ever experienced.