How a Graduate Study-Abroad Program Changed My Perspective on AI and Culture

When I signed up to attend a study abroad trip at St. John’s University, I had two goals: attend an international artificial intelligence (AI) ethics conference to broaden my perspective as an M.S. in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science student and, let’s be honest, spend another week in Paris, France. Having already visited the city twice before, I thought I knew exactly what I was signing up for. 

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

What I didn’t expect was how much the experience would reshape my perspective. Beyond sightseeing and conference sessions, studying abroad became one of those experiences that quietly changes the way you think—not just about your career, but about people, culture, and the value of stepping outside your everyday routine.

Seeing AI Ethics from a Global Perspective

The Paris Conference on AI & Digital Ethics was the main reason I joined the program, and it absolutely delivered. As someone studying data science, I spend a lot of time thinking about building intelligent systems, but this conference challenged me to think about something equally important: the responsibility that comes with them. Listening to experts discuss the ethical implications of AI across different industries made me realize that technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The final speaker panel was especially engaging because it brought together different perspectives from around the world, showing just how broad and dynamic the future of AI really is.

Why CESI Was One of My Favorite Stops

Another highlight was visiting CESI. What immediately stood out to me was their teaching style. Instead of sitting through endless lectures, students learned by working directly with machines, solving real-world problems, and getting their hands dirty. As someone who learns best by doing, I found that approach incredibly refreshing. It also gave us the opportunity to network with faculty and professionals, making the experience feel less like a classroom visit and more like a glimpse into the future of engineering and technology education.

What truly made CESI special, though, was the people. Our hosts went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. One surprise none of us expected was an immersive virtual-reality experience that took us through the history and restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It felt less like watching history and more like stepping into it.

Paris Is More than the Eiffel Tower

Of course, it wouldn’t be Paris without exploring everything the city has to offer. My favorite excursion was easily the Palace of Versailles. Walking through the palace while hearing the stories behind each room made history come alive. Pictures simply don’t do it justice—you have to stand there to appreciate the scale, the detail, and the centuries of history surrounding you.

Experiencing Paris Beyond the Classroom

The Louvre was another unforgettable stop. Like most people, I was excited to finally see the Mona Lisa. After successfully surviving the crowd surrounding the world’s most famous painting, I realized the real treasure of the Louvre wasn’t just one masterpiece—it was the thousands of incredible works of art from civilizations all over the world. Every hallway felt like traveling to another place and another era.Even though this was my third time in Paris, the city still managed to surprise me. One thing I noticed almost immediately was how different it felt from New York City after dark. Paris slows down. The nightlife is quieter, there are stricter noise regulations, and even environmental policies limit which cars can enter certain parts of the city. It gave Paris a calmness that I hadn’t fully appreciated before. I also found the French to be a little more reserved than other Europeans I’d met, but once you broke the ice, they were incredibly kind and welcoming.

And yes... the food deserves its own paragraph.

The croissants absolutely lived up to the hype. Every morning started with the impossible decision of choosing which bakery to try next, and somehow every one was better than the last. Ironically, one of our favorite dinners wasn’t French at all—it was at an Indian restaurant called Kuna. Safe to say, none of us expected one of the best meals in Paris to involve butter chicken.

The Friendships That Made the Experience Unforgettable

As incredible as the conference and sightseeing were, the people made the trip unforgettable. Our group included graduate students from different programs, many of whom had never met before boarding the plane. Somewhere between conference sessions, Metro rides, endless photos, and dinners, strangers became friends.

The best memories weren’t even on the itinerary.

One evening, while driving around Paris, we accidentally discovered one of the most incredible views of the Eiffel Tower.

Like many students experiencing the city for the first time, we couldn't resist stopping to take in the moment and capture a video of the tower sparkling. It was one of those spontaneous experiences that made our time in Paris truly unforgettable.

Our final night in Paris somehow felt both chaotic and perfect. We stayed up talking about the week, wandering the city one last time, and eating what might have been the best rotisserie chicken we'’d ever had—even though it was completely cold by the time we finally sat down. Meanwhile, the guys somehow turned doing laundry at midnight into a full-blown social event. It was one of those nights where nobody wanted to admit the trip was actually over.

The adventure didn’t stop there. Since I was already in Europe, I decided to take a solo trip to Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, after the program. Exploring two completely new cities on my own was exciting, a little intimidating, and incredibly rewarding. It reminded me that sometimes the best experiences happen when you simply say yes to an opportunity.

Why I’d Recommend Studying Abroad as a Graduate Student 

If a future St. John’s student asked me whether they should apply to study abroad, my answer would be immediate: absolutely.

I signed up expecting an AI conference and another visit to Paris. I came home with new friendships, a broader perspective on my career, unforgettable memories, and a renewed appreciation for how much there is to learn outside the classroom.

Sometimes the biggest lessons don’t come from lectures or keynote speakers. They come from getting lost in the Louvre, standing in awe at Versailles, sharing cold rotisserie chicken with new friends at midnight, finding the perfect hidden view of the Eiffel Tower, and realizing that a week with strangers can turn into memories you’ll be talking about for years.

For me, that’s what made this trip more than just another conference—and far more than just another visit to Paris.