Monthly Archives: August 2023

Graduate Profile: Journalist Sinéad McCausland

In the latest edition of our Graduate Profile series, we are pleased to introduce an alumna who remained in Paris after her studies. Since graduating from the University of Kent’s MA in Film Studies, Sinéad McCausland works as a journalist for France’s newspaper of record, Le Monde, in addition to producing written and video work for various media platforms.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I was born and brought up in South Wales. A draw to cities is what originally brought me to Paris. Having spent my childhood in rural towns, cities became hubs of art, culture, connection, opportunity, change – everything I wanted to be a part of. Truthfully, I could’ve ended up in any city, but, fully immersed in my French New Wave obsession when I made the decision to leave, I think it was only natural that Paris was the place I ended up.

What attracted you most about studying with Kent in Paris?

The fact the courses offered were in English was number one. Moving to a new country is tough, and not speaking the language is even tougher, so this was my primary concern. I remember being drawn to the Film modules Kent in Paris offered thanks to the scope of what was taught, from the beginnings of cinema in France through to the New Wave, and Kent in Paris’ interdisciplinary approach to learning. Being given the opportunity to study and sit in on art history and creative writing classes was a big plus.

What were some of the highlights from the course?

Being given introductory tours to the Cinémathèque Française and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France were definitely highlights. What stands out most from the course is how well each professor incorporated Paris into their classes. I think we spent more time outside of the classroom than inside it, exploring the city and its people in relation what we were learning – there was even one class [covering psychogeography] where we were encouraged to take our shoes and socks off and walk around the 6th arrondissement barefoot (I did). And working and socializing in the beautiful Reid Hall building, which I still visit regularly, is something I’d encourage all students to take advantage of while doing their programme.

How did your Master’s programme at Kent in Paris help with your career prospects?

My Master’s at Kent in Paris was invaluable. Thanks to the opportunities the programme gave me, I began an internship with Columbia University’s Paris Global Center, which then turned into a full-time position, meaning I could stay in Paris. I subsequently learned French and embarked on my career as a journalist, working for France 24, Agence France-Presse, and Le Monde.

What is your current role and how did it come about?

I’m currently a video and text journalist for Le Monde in English, the newspaper’s digital English-language version launched in 2022. I was originally a pigiste, a special freelancer status granted to journalists, for Agence France-Presse’s video service and France 24’s 24 hours news channel before joining Le Monde. 

What are the most rewarding and the most challenging aspects about your current role?

While there are a lot of them, the rewards far outweigh the challenges in journalism. I appreciate that a key part of my job involves staying informed on events, big and small, happening around the world, from the war in Ukraine to the Iranian protests, and so on. Still, it’s hard to switch off – the newsroom is addictive. But the best thing about journalism is that it’s a job where you never stop learning; there’s always something new to discover. 

What is it like looking for work in Paris as a native English speaker? Any advice for current students?

It’s easy to see being a native English speaker in Paris as a limitation if you’re not bilingual, but I would encourage students to see it as a plus. It’s hard to give specific advice because it depends on the work a student may be looking for, but I think if you really want to stay in the city and are proactive enough, there’s always a way to make it work. Let everyone know that you want to stay in Paris and that you’re looking for a job. And most importantly, be kind to yourself. It takes a couple of years to settle into a new country and make it feel like home.

You can view Sinéad’s work for Le Monde in English here.

Following a Vegetarian Diet in Paris

There is a stereotype that being vegetarian in France means eating chicken, but Paris is a major capital city and it’s possible to follow many different diets here. That being said, it’s not always easy to know where to go when you first arrive, so here’s a short guide to being vegetarian in Paris.

Jah Jah by Le Tricycle. Vogue.

Eating out

Although there are more and more vegetarian friendly restaurants in Paris that ever before, the average French restaurant may only have one or two vegetarian options so if you want more that a cheese omelette you might have to venture off the beaten track.

To help you find restaurants the cater to vegetarians, the Happy Cow app, made by the successful website of the same name, is a must-have for navigating Paris. It provides an interactive map of vegan or vegetarian restaurants in your neighbourhood and allows users to add reviews. It also has the option of restaurants with “vegetarian options” if you’re out with friends who refuse to have a meal without meat.

Some of the our favourite vegetarian restaurants in Paris are Potager de Charlotte, Aujourd’hui Demain, and Jah Jah By Le Tricycle.

Eating at restaurants of cuisines that naturally lend themselves to vegetarian diets is another way to ensure you have a more exciting meal. Indian restaurants or Italian pizzerias will almost always have vegetarian options and can be a safe bet if you’re out and about. Many restaurants have their menus online, or out on the street so you can check before you actually sit down at a table.

Marché d’Aligre. © OTCP Amélie Dupont

Grocery Shopping

Certainly the cheapest way to follow a vegetarian diet in Paris is to cook at home. It is possible to find vegetarian options in a regular French supermarket. Items such as falafels or bean burgers are common but organic shops often have a wider selection of vegetarian and vegan options, especially animal product replacements. These shops do tend to be more expensive than the average supermarket.

There are also weekly farmer’s markets around Paris that sell fresh seasonal produce at lower prices than the supermarkets. If you want to read more about navigating your local farmer’s market, check out this article.

Asian supermarkets are also a good place to shop for vegetarians. Paris has three china towns across the city (read more about them in this article) and an area in the 10th arrondissement referred to as “Little India” (featured in this article); there you can find ingredients such as tofu, tempeh, or paneer, and full meals that cater to vegetarian diets.

Other Apps

Too Good To Go and Phenix are both anti-waste apps that allow you to buy food that would otherwise be thrown out from restaurants and supermarkets for low prices. It is possible to filter the results to vegetarian only. Other filters on the Phenix app include organic produce, halal, gluten free, and lactose free

 

Top image: Montmartre District, Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy Stock Photo.