When you think about spending a semester in Paris, it’s easy to picture yourself looking up at a twinkling Eiffel Tower at night, but do you also think about the scent of fresh pastries or the clink of cutlery and mingling chatter en Français as you stroll past the outdoor tables at your local cafe?

In this two-part series, we explore each of ASA’s study abroad destinations through snippets of local life that will stimulate each of the senses. Where can you most easily picture yourself waking up in the morning?  

Senses at the ready…. and we’re off to:

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Something you can…

Hear: The roaring atmosphere of the very passionate fans at a Boca Juniors soccer game.

Taste: The strong bitter herbal flavors of the beloved local drink Yerba Mate. Ask a local to show you how it’s done.

Smell: The sweet scent of garrapiñadas (candied peanuts) toasting in frying pans carted around the streets.

Touch: The hands of a partner when you join in with a tango – even better at a milonga (one of those–often hidden–places that sticks to the codes and tradition of the 1940s).

See: The Ateneo Grand Splendid bookshop. It sits inside of a converted theater and we’d venture to say it’s one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world.

VIÑA DEL MAR, CHILE

Something you can…

Hear: The crash of waves and the call of sea lions (sea wolves) in Playa Renaca.

Taste: Fresh fish and seafood, which you’ll find in many places along the coast. Donde Willy Restaurante is always a good bet (also has vegetarian-friendly options).

Smell: As you’d expect in a seaside resort, your nostrils will be hit by plenty of salty ocean air and the occasional waft of fresh fish.

Touch: Black sand between your toes (from millennia of volcanic activity) at Playa Negra, Concon.

See: The postcard famous Reloj de Flores (flower clock) and the beautiful outdoor spaces (like the botanical gardens) that have given the Viña del Mar its reputation as “The Garden City”.

LONDON, ENGLAND

Something you can…

Hear: The mingling of languages in the most linguistically diverse capital city in the world (some 250+ are spoken here).

Taste: A proper cup of English tea, but also kimchee, paella, curry, macarons, kladdkaka and other foods from every corner of the world.

Smell: A cacophony of scents in the market streets: flowers, coffee, fresh fruits and veggies, rubbish, incense, chicken biryani and cheese toasties cooking, a waft of perfume.

Touch: The cold metal rail handle to steady yourself on the bus as you head toward your next adventure.

See: A West End musical: from The Lion King to Mamma Mia!

OXFORD, ENGLAND

Something you can…

Hear: Some powerful storytelling in a performance at The Woodshed in The Story Museum.

Taste: Frank Cooper's Oxford Marmalade, which was a secret recipe of a local sold to the public for the first time in the 1800s and has been around ever since. Captain Scott even took some to the Antarctic – a tin discovered there with his party’s remains.

Smell: The merging of scents in the Covered Market: roasting coffee, baking cookies, Chinese stirfry, pies, cheese, seafood, souvlaki, fresh flowers and homemade soaps.

Touch: The playing pieces of a new game at Thirsty Meeples, a board game café.

See: The places that inspired Knockturn Alley, Hogwart’s great hall and the real life Divinity School in a Harry Potter locations tour.

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE

Something you can…

Hear: Gurgling, trickling and splashing; this is the “City of 1,000 Fountains” (and there’s actually even more than that!)

Taste: Freshly-baked flaky pastries and the local Calissons if you have a sweet tooth; they’re a bit like melon-flavored marzipan.

Smell: The comforting scent of baking bread; the city has some fantastic bakeries!

Touch: Feel the uneven tilt of cobblestones under your feet as you explore the quaint and quiet lanes of the Old Town.  

See: Art and history focused on the city’s most famous local, Paul Cézanne by following The Cézanne Trail.

PARIS, FRANCE

Something you can… 

Hear: The beautifully eerie silence of quiet corners in Père Lachaise (resting place of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Balzac) and other cemeteries dotted across the city.

Taste: Try a variety of cheeses from Marché Bastille (one of the biggest markets in the city), macarons by Pierre Hermé (world’s best pastry chef), and an unforgettable hot chocolate from Angelina Paris.

Smell: The early morning scent of freshly-baked baguettes wafting from the boulangeries.

Touch: Feel the wind on your face as you cross the Pont Alexandre III bridge.

See: Wake up early and be rewarded by the spectacular sight of the glass pyramid of the Louvre at sunrise. Try watching from the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel across the street.

PAROS, GREECE

Something you can…

Hear: The Greek locals talking and laughing in the cafes, with the sound of classic Rebetiko music in the background.

Taste: Pure Greek olive oil from the island’s own trees; a symbol of good health and strength, and an actual medicine, as well as a source of magic, inspiring awe for its ancient powers.

Smell: Early along the water front promenade, the strong smell of coffee, a morning ritual of Greek life.

Touch: Immersing yourself in the clear waters of the Aegean Sea, your hand running across the calm surface, inducing a mildly meditative state of calm focus and gentle awareness.

See: While walking about the island, coming upon ancient ruins, marble white chapels, pristine beaches and green valleys; and in the evening, a gorgeous sunset brilliantly lighting the horizon.

Where would you most love to study abroad? Stay tuned for a continuation of our list in Part 2, coming soon!