“Stains: The Residue, Research, and Return of an American in Paris” presents an immersive exploration of Parisian culture and language through the eyes of an American student who spent 24 days in the city. The study integrates personal narratives, ethnographic research, and insights from art and history to document the unique experience of being an American in Paris. Structured as a magazine, “Stains” combines writing, photography, and illustration to capture this cultural journey in a creative and accessible format. The immersive experience in Paris proves transformative for the American student, fostering heightened cultural awareness, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of cross-cultural dynamics. “Stains” presents a compelling and multidisciplinary analysis of the American experience in Paris within a unique magazine format that enhances accessibility and engagement. The magazine comprises 48 pages divided into 14 distinct sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of the American encounter with Paris, whether through narratives of personal encounters, ethnographic studies, or analyses and commentaries on art and history. Employing a qualitative and experiential approach, “Stains” utilizes immersive observation and participation, personal reflections and narrative, ethnographic studies, art and history analysis, and multimedia documentation to explore cultural immersion and the relationship between American and Parisian life. This study contributes to the understanding of intercultural experiences, highlighting the transformative nature of living abroad in a different culture. Findings include insights into cultural relativity and perception, interpersonal dynamics and social customs, the significance of language as a cultural gateway, and the impact of historical and artistic context on both historical and contemporary Parisian life. The insights presented by “Stains” enrich our understanding of cross-cultural encounters and the complexities of navigating life in a foreign culture.
Author(s): Caitlin Curran, Communication Design Major
Advisor(s): Elisabeth Hodges, Department of French, Italian, and Classical Studies
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