Ryan Blum ’16

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas where, unlike many AUP students, I led a very non-international life. I’d always had grand dreams of traveling to far-flung places around the world but didn’t have the financial resources to turn those dreams into a reality. So I joined the military, in an attempt to see the world and cure my chronic boredom.

For the next seven years I served in the United States Army as an infantryman, which gave me the opportunity to see fascinating countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar and Kyrgyzstan. In the process, I made the greatest friends, discovered myself, and had some of the most engaging experiences any man ought to in one lifetime. However, I soon realized that as much as I loved my military life, it could never quench my curiosity and thirst for intellectual growth. It was in 2012 that I decided to finally leave the military and pursue an education.

I discovered AUP while I was interning for an NGO in West Africa. I immediately knew that it would be the ideal place for me, allowing me to study in English while living in a Francophone environment. I majored in international and comparative politics with a minor in international law. Since arriving in 2014, I have fallen in love with the City of Lights. I’ve always been a big fan of literature—specifically Ernest Hemingway—and the way he described 1920s Paris inspired me to begin working on my own writing skills. I love that Paris fosters so much creativity and free expression of ideas, making it the perfect environment for any student.

As a veteran, AUP has made me feel more than welcome. I had initially been concerned about how I was going to afford living in one of the most expensive cities in the world but the Financial Aid Office continually helped me navigate the bureaucracy of the administration. Without their help, my whole Parisian experience could have quickly turned into a financial nightmare. When I reflect on my time here, I think about how much I owe to the professors and staff for my academic and personal success. I also think about how moving to Paris was one of the best decisions of my life.