The moment the news came through, her whole life’s path started to become clearer. Her first thought was she needed to write it on Ms. Weizer’s window. She ran to her room and excitedly wrote the words, Paris College of Art with an Eiffel Tower next to it. 

Alexis Charles is a senior at North Penn who has developed a love and passion for art. Whether it is painting, drawing, or fashion, Alexis has never felt happier than when she is creating new masterpieces. That is why when she found out she got accepted into the Paris College of Art it was like a dream come true. 

“I always knew this was something I wanted to do. In my freshman year, I even tried to participate in their exchange student program but my mom wouldn’t let me,” Charles explained. “After she told me I couldn’t go, I remember telling her that if she wouldn’t let me go, I would just go to college in France.” 

When Charles received the news of her acceptance she was ecstatic. The first person she called was her cousin because her cousin, who is a year younger than her, has very similar hopes of attending an art school in the art capital of the world. The second person she called was her mother and then her friends who have all supported her and her aspirations. 

“I found out in school with two of my best friends and I was off the wall when I got the news,” Charles recalls. “It actually took me a minute to process at first. It was crazy because I had my interview on Monday and wasn’t expecting a response for weeks. But that Friday, I got a notification that my college portal had been updated and that was the moment I knew I had gotten a response.”

Alexis always wanted to go to Paris ever since she was young, which is what drew her to apply to some colleges in France. Out of all the schools for art in Paris, she chose to apply to Paris College of Art because they also have a school in the United States that offers very good programs to people who are unable to attend the university in Paris. 

“Because I always wanted to go to France, I was looking at any school that I could apply to there for art. I also applied to the American University of Paris and was looking into other schools,” Charles said, “I never ended up applying to the other schools because as an American the process is very confusing but I feel that my choice to apply to Paris College of Art was the best because they have ties to many schools here in the United States, and they also have an American school system in the way you apply. For example, the fashion school FIT in New York does their exchange student program with them.”

Charles explained that she felt such a strong gravitation towards France because she grew up surrounded by French culture. She revealed that before transferring to North Penn in 8th grade, she attended a private school where 75% of the curriculum was in French. This has also helped Charles because her exposure to French culture has allowed her to become fluent in French, which certainly takes away some of the concerns of being in a foreign country. 

“My whole life basically revolved around French culture, and yet, I haven’t been to France, so I felt like this was my time. It was an easy decision for me to decide I was going to France because I wanted to leave the United States to learn about art, and France was the perfect place because art is a significant part of their culture, but on top of that it was comforting to know I already speak the language,” Charles said. 

Getting to attend a school so predominantly focused on art is a dream come true for Charles. Throughout her life, art has been something she could take with her and use to show people around her true identity. Moving in middle school wasn’t ideal, so in order to cope with integrating into an unfamiliar environment, Charles did what she knows how to do best. She created art.

“In middle school I didn’t have that many friends, so I drew instead. Ever since then, I just took my art with me and used it as a way to bring my imagination to life,” Charles said. 

Most college students fear moving away from home, having to adapt to being self-sufficient, and living so far away from their families. But most college students aren’t moving overseas to a place with a totally different culture. As one can imagine, Charles has some fears about moving, but she is also making sure to emphasize the exciting things about her transition to life in Paris. 

“I am a little nervous about getting my visa because it is a process I am unfamiliar with. But on the bright side, getting my apartment in Paris is going to be one of my favorite parts,” Charles admitted with a laugh, “but in all seriousness I am really excited because they have classes at the Louvre. That is like an artist’s dream.”

While Charles is the one moving, she isn’t the only one with fears. Charles revealed that her parents never wanted her to go to Paris. Although her parents expressed disapproval towards her ambitions to go, they certainly weren’t stopping her. 

“Basically my whole junior year I let my parents know that they didn’t have a choice. At first they were super combative, but I reasoned with them that I would be attending college in another state anyway, [so] why not send me to another country. But once they realised that this is what I wanted to do and the reality of me getting accepted sunk in they were more open to the idea,” she said, while chuckling.

Charles has many adventures to come and is looking forward to the opportunities and experiences that she will gain from studying abroad. She even said she could see her preferred styles of art changing. 

“In my foundation year they will give me all the facilities to explore all the different forms of art so I feel like my favorite forms like painting and drawing could definitely change,” she explained. 

The growth of her art skills is important, and she is ready to see all that Paris has to teach about not only herself but how she can perform in the industry.  

“I feel like this is going to give me the opportunity to mature into my art style, but I know this is going to prepare me for the art industry and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.”