Photo of Me (Jae’la Solomon, back row second to right) and other attendees of the Reimagining Reproductive Health and Digital Care workshop at a closing reception. Credit: @Insolyt
What led me to Paris?
In the spring of 2025, I was offered a fellowship with Rice University’s Medical Humanities Research Institute (MHRI). The fellowship would formally start in July 2025, but my supervisors invited me to join them in Paris, France, at the Rice Global Paris Center for a workshop led by the MHRI and other affiliates of the institution titled Reimagining Reproductive Health and the Logics of Digital Care.
There was no way I was passing up an opportunity to go to Paris, so I gladly accepted. The trip was scheduled for mid-May, leaving me only a couple of months to get all the necessary documents and plans in order. It was crunch time, but I had never been to Europe before, so I made sure to get everything done.
Leading up to Paris: Gathering the Documents and Presentation Preparation
The most nerve-wracking part of the trip was getting my passport on time. I had been out of the country before, but it was always by cruise ship, so a passport wasn’t required. As soon as I got the invitation to Paris, I started researching where and how to obtain a passport. After getting all the necessary information, I scheduled an appointment at the Houston Public Library, and within a few days, I was on the road to receiving my passport. I did run into some bumps along the way, but I expedited the process and got my passport a month later.
Aside from that, I had to fill out documents required by the university for graduate students traveling overseas with the institution. Other duties I conducted in preparation were finding flights to and from Paris and booking a hotel. Additionally, I scheduled meetings with my supervisors to discuss my role while in Paris and any other necessary information I needed to know.
My final step before leaving for Paris was writing my conference paper and preparing my presentation. Given the title of the workshop and its aims towards expanding knowledge on reproductive health, I knew I wanted to talk about an oral histories project I conducted in the prior semester. The project, aimed towards expanding knowledge of traditional midwifery and natural medicinal practices used amongst African American communities in the rural South, entailed interviewing descendants of traditional midwives in rural East Texas. I adapted a paper I had previously written on the subject and redirected its aims towards discussing the power of oral history as a way to reimagine and recenter our conversation around reproductive health care.
Once my paper and presentation were prepared and polished, I was ready to go, and a few days later, I boarded my flight to Paris.
The Workshop:
I left for Paris on May 18th and arrived in the city on May 19th. This was by far the longest flight I have ever been on, and it was certainly tiring; however, I was able to watch plenty of movies on the way there, so not too bad.
After arriving in Paris, I went to my hotel, took a brief nap, and was off to the Rice Global Paris Institute to begin working. I met up with my supervisor, and she showed me the setup for the upcoming workshop.
The next day, we began the first day of the workshop, where I met some wonderful people, both from Rice University and from universities in France. The presentations spanned a wide array of topics, all dealing with digital tools used in healthcare and reproductive health. A couple of my favorite talks were one that challenged the ethics of moral AI to make certain medical decisions and a talk that discussed digital biomarkers and the difference between virtual and digital care. I was tasked with taking notes on each talk and looking for possible avenues for collaboration.
I gave my talk towards the end of the day, and it was honestly a very jarring experience. Conferences I have attended in the past have typically taken the style of reading a prepared paper; however, given the more collaborative nature of the workshop, presentations were meant to be more conversational. My presentation seemed to be well-received; however, I definitely would correct the style and tone of my presentation if I had to opportunity to do it again.
The following day, we conducted the final day of the workshop. In addition to the talks given, there was also some lively discussion after each set of presentations. We were able to ask the presenters questions, challenge and clarify some information, and overall engage with each other in a collaborative and helpful manner.
After we completed the presentations, the institute took us on tours of the École des Arts Décoratifs and École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Both of the institutions were incredibly beautiful and housed wonderful architecture and foliage. We spoke with some of the art students, and they explained some of their projects to us, including set building, fashion design, and painting.
Food and Fun in Paris:
Outside of the workshop, I also spent some time enjoying the food, fun, and wine in Paris. During a group dinner, we went to a local restaurant and I had steak and fries with a delicious peppercorn sauce—this was by far the best meal I had in the city. I also indulged in some wonderful French wine. Other meals I enjoyed in the city were duck confit with mashed potatoes, duck foie-gras (very interesting texture, wouldn’t eat again), and, surprisingly, a very delicious burger. Given that it was Paris, I couldn’t leave without eating an abundance of croissants, so on my final full day in the city, I ordered a croissant and some tasty little dough balls from a cafe and enjoyed them with a latte. My food adventures were plenty, and it would be difficult to recount all of the meals, but French food is definitely amazing.
Other than the food, my favorite experience was simply sitting outside at a cafe reading a book. In Texas, it is so hot that attempting to sit outside can be torturous, so this was a pleasure.
Other activities I enjoyed were shopping, I didn’t want to leave the city without getting souvenirs for my friends and family, and a little something for myself. I walked throughout Paris, stopping at local shops, buying magnets, keychains, French chocolate, brie cheese, and even thrifted a winter coat.
I didn’t visit any of the big Paris spots like the Eiffel Tower, but I certainly had fun and enjoyed the city in a way that suited me and my limited time there.
Key Takeaways:
When applying to graduate school, I never thought that a part of my studies would entail a trip to Paris, France. I am now more interested in the scene of reproductive health care in France and learning more about midwifery in the country. I hope to return to conduct research and eat more delicious food. My brief summer trip showed me that graduate school opens you to many wonderful and unimaginable opportunities. Not only did I gather more knowledge and connections, but I relished in good food, beautiful scenery, and the cool Parisian atmosphere.
Photo of the outside of the École Normale Supérieure
About the author:
Jae'la Solomon is from Dallas, Texas and is a current PhD student in English. She got her B.A. in English Literature at Rice University in 2022. Read more.
Further Reading:
Reflections on a summer of research in Costa Rica
Exploring Paradise: A Summer of Research in Moorea
Understanding Cervical Cancer in Mozambique: A Research Expedition