Alumni Travel Program: Exploring Paris
Alumni, family, and friends from Elon University recently experienced the enchanting City of Lights through the university’s faculty-led travel program. This October, 16 participants returned from Paris filled with cherished memories and strengthened connections to their alma mater.
Immersion in Parisian Culture
Over seven days, travelers immersed themselves in the rich history and vibrant culture of Paris. The carefully crafted itinerary offered a blend of iconic landmarks and meaningful experiences, combined with the camaraderie that makes group travel memorable.
Sixteen Elon University alumni, family members, and friends traveled to Paris in October 2026.
Christi Floyd ’97 highlighted the relationships formed during the trip. “Paris was more amazing than I imagined, but what really made the trip was the people I got to experience it with,” she remarked.
A Global Classroom Experience
Led by retired Professor L.D. Russell, this trip is part of a growing alumni travel program that extends Elon’s experiential learning tradition globally. Kendra Haskins, senior director of Alumni Engagement, stated, “This experience demonstrated that the power of lifelong learning and connection can happen anywhere.”
Historical and Cultural Highlights
Participants explored celebrated landmarks, including a dinner at the Eiffel Tower, a visit to the Louvre, and an excursion to Versailles. This experience balanced structured learning with opportunities for independent exploration, allowing travelers to design parts of their itineraries based on personal interests.
Rachel Renfrow ’24 noted, “It was my first time in Paris, and I feel like this was the perfect way to experience it.” She valued the chance to meet fellow alumni and engage with diverse perspectives from the university community.
Looking Ahead
This Parisian adventure is just the beginning of a series of educational travel experiences for alumni, family, and friends. Upcoming journeys include:
- Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park: July 6-12, 2027
- Women of Elon Weekend in NYC: Sept. 16-20, 2027
- Christmas on the Danube: Dec. 4-12, 2027
For more information about upcoming travel opportunities with Elon Alumni, visit Elon Alumni Travel.
Be a traveler, not a tourist with Elon!
