Life is stressful here in Strasbourg, France after the first round of the French elections. As I’m sure you’ve seen, Emmanuel Macron came in first place and Marine Le Pen came in second. They will go into a runoff election 7 May. Macron is expected to win by at least 40%, mais il faut jamais dire jamais. We’re on edge, but less so than a week or so ago. Between the election and preparing for exams, for this week, I’d like to share with you a few of my favourite Instagram pictures while studying abroad. If you want to see them all, check them out HERE. Here it goes! 1. Les Ponts couverts | Strasbourg, France If you google Strasbourg, you’ll see the Cathedral, the European Parliament, and Les Ponts couverts.

1. Les Ponts couverts | Strasbourg, France
   

   If you google Strasbourg, you’ll see the Cathedral, the European Parliament, and Les Ponts couverts.
   
   
   
   

2. The Eiffel Tower | Paris, France
   

   You can’t go to Paris as a tourist and not take cheesy pictures of the Eiffel Tower
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. La Seine | Paris, France
   

   Ibid.
   
   
   
   

4. The King’s Workplace & The Peace Palace (International Court of Justice) | The Hague, Netherlands
   The Hague, Amsterdam for international relations nerds.
   
   
   
   
   
5. The Strasbourg Christmas Market | Place Kléber, Strasbourg, France
   See my article on the Christmas Market in Strasbourg here
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Bev Ott’s Sheep | La Gauchérie aux dames, Vihiers, Pays de la Loire, France
   

   I had the pleasure of staying with Bev Ott ‘80 and her family near Angers over Christmas. I loved helping out with her sheep and learning about ECHOPPE.
   
   
   
   
   

7. European Parliament | Strasbourg, France
   

   I’ve had the amazing experience of interning in the European Parliament when it’s in Strasbourg this year. It’s been an unmatched learning experience. I also had the opportunity to participate in Semaine européenne through SciencesPo this semester, a week-long model EP programme.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. Geneva, Switzerland
   

   The Hague may be Amsterdam for international relations nerd, but Geneva is heaven for us.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

9. Place de la République, Strasbourg, France
   

   One of Strasbourg’s most picturesque places, Place de la République is home to century-old magnolias, the Bibliothèque Nationale Universitaire, and more.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

10. Riquewihr, Alsace, France
    

    Riquewihr may be a big tourist trap, but it is beautiful.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

     

Zander E. Willoughby ’18 is a Political Science & French major & Peace Studies minor, and a former Multicultural Affairs Programmer, Student Senate Vice-President, Model U.N. Secretary-General and more. He is currently studying in Strasbourg, France at the Institut d'Études Politiques at Université de Strasbourg. His future plans include working in International Relations or International Law, hopefully within the U.N. system.