French teacher Carrie Loridans studied and traveled through Europe, bringing memories and traditions back with her.
By: Alexis Johnson-Williams
Carrie Loridans is a French teacher who fell into the profession accidentally, which enhanced her love for travel. When teaching, Loridans guides her students through planning trips abroad with little expense to convey the affordability of European travel. The enjoyment of traveling has allowed her to share the experience with others, as well as implement it into her career.
She started traveling at an early age through her parents taking her to different places around the country. “I always enjoyed getting in the car and going places,” Loridans stated when describing memories of traveling. At seventeen, she took her first trip abroad and fell in love with international travel. Although Loridans was mainly studying, the trips on break impacted her perception of Europe.
After studying abroad she has brought experiences and traditions with her back home. A tradition that she and her husband indulge in is le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre which is a feast that happens on New Year’s Eve, a 12-course meal with friends.
Even though Loridans has traveled throughout all of Europe, her favorite moment is bringing new people and seeing their faces gleam. Going through tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower or to Sainte-Chapelle, which is one of her favorite places in Europe, carries those emotions.
Here are excerpts from the conversation that walks us through her journey.
What was your experience first traveling to Europe?
I started traveling abroad when I was a senior in high school. We went on a grand tour of Italy. We went to Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples, and it was phenomenal. From there I fell in love with international travel.
What is the earliest memory you had of wanting to travel, then having the realization that it’s possible to travel internationally?
In my sophomore year of high school, I realized I could start traveling abroad during that time. I’ve always wanted to go since my family is Italian. Wanting to go to Italy came into play. I always knew that I would go someday.
While studying abroad, where did you go in Europe or neighboring countries on break?
Living in Lieu-Saint-Amand in the northern part of France, we were an hour from Paris and 30 minutes away from Brussels. Therefore we could get to an airport quickly by Ryanair, a discount airline. One time I bought a 30-cent plane ticket so after taxes it was 30 euros. That is still is the cheapest flight I’ve ever taken. Every time we had money we would hop on a train to different parts of Northern Italy.
In Paris, where is your favorite place and why?
Sainte-Chapelle is one of my favorite places. It’s a little chapel outside the Palais de la Cité. When it’s sunny outside, the light shines through and it glows. There’s this hush because whether people believe in religion or not it feels like a sacred space. As humans, we leave a piece of ourselves in places that we visit. When it’s a holy place you can feel the people who have walked in it before you.
After visiting all of the many different cities in Europe, which one is your favorite or favorite(s)?
Paris feels like home. I love the gothic corner of Barcelona. This summer I went to a little town in the South of France called Carcassonne. It’s a medieval town that has all its original buildings. Carcassonne feels like going to a medieval festival which is a lot of fun. Overall Paris is the city of my heart.
Experiencing different cultures of food when you visit Europe, which dishes do you order or crave the most?
In the Canary Islands, Ropa Vieja has the name of old clothes. In France beef bourguignon, French onion soup, and one of my all-time favorites Croque monsieur which is a comfort food of mine.
What tips do you have for students who are interested in traveling abroad?
First I would ask if they want to do it in high school or college, I believe that it’s easier in college. Colleges have exchange programs so you pay your tuition at home and swap places with students in Europe. Most universities have an international program so looking into it could be life-changing.