MSU Global Game Changers
June 2025
Paris, France
Monday June 9th to Saturday June 14th, 2025
The People Paris Marais
17 Bd Morland, 75004 Paris, France
https://www.thepeoplehostel.com/fr/destinations/paris-marais/
Monday June 9th - Day 1: Arrive in Paris
Take transport from the airport to the hotel. Check-in from 3pm onwards.
Arrivals at 6:15am, 7:10am, 8:25am, 10:45am, and 12:30pm
Paris Transport:
I will make your metro cards on Sunday. We will take the metro together from the airport to the hotel. I have posted the groups in Groupme. Just in case my contact number is Anna McNiel +393287290848 and if you can’t reach me Gabriele +393284576517.
Luggage: We will be taking multiple forms of public transport throughout the trip. You need to be able to EASILY carry and walk 15 minutes with your luggage. The sidewalks are narrow in Europe and the trains do not have unlimited luggage racks. One rolling suitcase and a backpack is a comfortable amount of luggage. We recommend having travel locks on your bags especially on your backpack so you know your belongings are secure when you are walking around airports and taking public transport.
Welcome Event - meet at 3:30pm in the reception of the hotel.
Sightseeing Cruise on the River Seine - 1 hour
Relax and enjoy the sunshine and the sights of Paris including the Eiffel Tower from the River.
Download a guide to Paris’ monuments that you will see along the way:
https://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/documents/vpn_anglais.pdf
River Side Spritz at 6PM
Join your professors and tour leaders for an Aperitif!
https://www.peniche-marcounet.fr/en/peniche-marcounet/
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n5mqmN69WGy7D4RH8
Go to bed early, because we have a big day tomorrow!
Tuesday June 10th - Day 2:
BUSINESS & BIOCHEMISTRY
The business and biochemistry of beer brewing.
Meet in front of the hostel at 9:15am to go all together to Bar Gallia Brewery in Pantin. I have attached a link to their website so you can have a look at the history of the brewery and learn a little about the owners and brewing process. You will need to use google translate as the website is only in French.
https://galliaparis.com/pages/notre-histoire
The tour will last about 1.5 hours and includes some tasting. Afterwards we have reserved a table so you can enjoy lunch in their onsite cafe.
Don’t forget to bring your metro passes!
Address: Bar Gallia, 35 Rue Méhul, 93500 Pantin, France
How to get there: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jVW7hFzzn56i7Hdx7
Metro: Orange Line 5, direction Bobigny-Pablo-Picasso, stop
Église de Pantin
Depart at latest 1:30pm for Perfume Museum visit.
Take train, you will need to change lines to get to Opera.
FASHION
Google Map of Textiles Stores
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/3/edit?mid=1mCj8sGcGBHGEUVMHIhVMmK1bn-ta7KQ&usp=sharing
FASHION meet in the hotel reception at 9:15am.
10AM - Paris textiles walking tour with Rebecca Devaney.
Rebecca Devaney is a textile artist, researcher, and teacher with a BA in Art, Craft and Design Education (2006), an MFA in Textile Art and Artefact (2015) and recipient of the Education Award for excellence in teaching practice (2006) from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. Following her graduation from École Lesage, Paris, Rebecca worked as a professional haute couture embroiderer for Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Givenchy, and Louis Vuitton.
Meeting point: Metro Quatre Septembre/Bistrot Edmond, rue Réamur, 75002, Paris
How to get there: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BQs6DFKKcgpiJPjc8
Finishing Point: Metro Sentier, rue des Petits Carreaux
EVERYONE at 2:30PM
Guided tour of the Fragonard Perfume Museum. Your professors will bring you from your morning appointments directly to the Perfume Museum. If you arrive early you can have free time in the area to explore, have a coffee, shop etc.
Address: 3-5 Sq. de l'Opéra-Louis Jouvet, 75009 Paris, France
Closest Metro: Opera
FASHION - 6pm
Meet Brooke Forth — a relatively recent fashion graduate from the University of Arkansas who completed her masters in Fashion in Paris and is now a key account manager for The Brand Collector. Brooke has agreed to meet with us to chat about how she ended up studying and working in Paris.
Meeting Place: Mon Coco, 6 Pl. de la République, 75011 Paris
Metro Stop: République
BUSINESS AND BIOCHEM at 4:30PM
Meet Jennifer, owner of Abricot Bar. Originally from California, she was looking for a change and saw an opening in the market in Paris. We will meet her in her bar before opening for a chat about how she decided to move to Paris, what have been the challenges of opening a business in Paris and how these compare to the challenges one faces in the USA.
https://www.abricotbar.com/
https://www.instagram.com/abricotbar/?hl=en
After the meeting you can stay for a drink and snack (not included).
We will go to Abricot by train directly from our appointment at the Perfume Museum. Leave 3:45pm. Train to République.
Wednesday June 11th - Day 3: Vivatech Conference
BUSINESS & BIOCHEMISTRY
Meet in the hotel reception at 8:00am to go all together to Vivatech. Doors open at 9:00am.
Entry to the Vivatech Conference.
https://vivatechnology.com/sessions
Vivatech is a HUGE international conference. Some of the theme areas that might be of interest to you are: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Quantum Computing, Sustainability, Climate and Mobility, Health and Longevity, Work Reimagined, Creative Industries and Gaming, And Culture and Lifestyle.
Conferences can be overwhelming and exhausting but an incredible opportunity to attend presentations by leaders in industry and to visit stands, make connections, ask questions, pick up brochures and business cards, and even line up internships!!!! Plan your day. There will be cafes and open areas on site for when you need a break. Ask you professor about strategies to get the most out of this opportunity.
Location: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Hall 1 & Hall 2.2
1 Place de la Porte de Versailles, F-75015 Paris
How to get there: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6yYboHG8xmjpAF7G9
Metro Stop: Porte de Versailles
Travel time from hostel: 40 to 50 minutes
FASHION
Fashion on the Move
Exhibition at the Palais Galliera. Entrance time 10am.
Meet in the hotel reception at 9am.
This exhibition is about the history of sportswear and how sportswear became an important part of the fashion industry, including the major fashion houses like Chanel and Dior. It looks at how sportswear evolved for women as fashions became less restrictive and conservative. It also addresses how new technology, like the invention of the automobile, created opportunities with the introduction of new garments by necessity. There is not a lot of information online or in the exhibition catalogue. You will get the most out of this exhibition by reading the introductions on the walls at the entry to each room, and by reading the garment cards along the way. These are both in French and English.
Address: 10 Av. Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75116 Paris
Metro Line: Yellow no. 1, from Bastille to George V
There will be time for a coffee/snack before our next appointment.
Walk to Dior 15 minutes:
La Galerie Dior, 11 Rue François 1er, 75008 Paris, France
Dior Museum at 12:30PM
Timed entrance at 12:30pm. Approximate time to visit the exhibition is 90 minutes.
Guided tour of the Samaritaine Department Store at 3:30PM Tour 90 minutes
(now owned by LVMH)
https://www.dfs.com/en/samaritaine/about-store/history
Thursday June 12th - Day 4: FREE DAY!!!
Those of you who have Vivatech tickets have access to the expo/conference for all 4 days of the conference.
Friday June 13th - Day 5: Louvre Gallery
ALL TOGETHER - meet outside the hotel at 8:00am to walk or metro to the Louvre.
We have timed entry tickets at 9am. Note that despite the entry time we will have to stand in line and may not get into the gallery until after 9am. Get in line from 8:30am.
Note: your tickets have your name on them and you will most likely need to show an ID at the entry - driver’s license or passport.
This year the Louvre is hosting a special exhibition: Louvre Couture. Fashion Students should stay with their professor to visit the exhibition before venturing off to see the other exhibits. Approximate time to visit fashion exhibition 90 minutes.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/exhibitions/louvre-couture
We highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes. If you visit every art work in the Louvre you will have walked 5 miles. You will not be able to see it all in one visit, after you stand in line to see the Mona Lisa have a look at the Louvre map and decide which exhibits interest you most. As you move from one gallery to the next inside the Louvre, you will have to scan your ticket. DO NOT LOSE IT!
BUSINESS & BIOCHEM
Restauranteurs in Paris. Chris and Greg are French-American, they grew up in America but decided to open Cocoricains American restaurant in Paris. We have booked a table for you at 2pm for late lunch (not included) then the owners will be available to talk about their business journey with you until 4pm.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DJhRxyyLY68V1e1z7
Who are Chris and Greg
https://www.cocoricains.com/our-story
More Background
https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/where-to-eat-in-paris/restaurant/articles/321585-cocoricains-finally-a-quality-american-bistro-in-paris
FASHION
Galeries Lafayette Fashion Show at 3pm
Meet at 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France at 2:30pm
https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/x9FEzCBrZ6cqKdem7
From the Louvre you can get to Galeries Lafayette in 10 - 15 minutes with the metro or walking in about 20 minutes. Come early or leave time later to explore this beautiful and historic department store.
Meet in front of the main entrance (near Saint Laurent inside Lafayette, across from H&M) at 2:30pm. Get in line from 2:40pm for best seats.
Saturday June 14th - Day 6: Paris to Florence
Check-out, hand in rooms keys, and meet outside the hotel with all of your belongings, ready to go at 6:15am.
We will be taking the train from Paris to Milan and then from Milan to Florence.
The walking time from The People to Gare du Lyon is about 20 minutes. Make sure you are comfortable dressed for carrying your bags and suitcases for the walk. We will arrive at the station at least 30 minutes prior to our train departure. There may be time to get a coffee or snack in the station. You could also make sure you buy a snack and bottle of water the day before. There will also be a restaurant car on the train.
When we arrive in Florence we will also have a 15-20 minute walk to our hostel where we will be able to check-in immediately. There will be time to freshen up and then we will go all together to have pizza dinner in a secret garden restaurant.
Florence, Italy
Saturday June 14th to Thursday June 19th
PLUS HOSTEL FLORENCE
Via Santa Caterina D'Alessandria, 15, 50129 Firenze FI
GGC Personalized Google Map: Restaurants, Gelato, Etc
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/3/edit?mid=11yb5Ms5daEKeUWQ2MzOGv_f8ih0e7_Y&usp=sharing
Sunday June 15th - Day 7: Welcome to Florence
EVERYONE: Let’s go see Michelangelo’s famous masterpiece, The David, at the Accademia Gallery.
Meet outside the hostel at 9:30am. We have timed entry times but we will still aim to be there 15 minutes before our appointment.
NOTE: Please DO NOT bring big bags/backpacks. We will be going through an airport style security check to get in. Also DO NOT bring refillable thermos water bottles. You are permitted to bring a standard 500ml bottle. Forbidden items will be confiscated.
FASHION STUDENTS. Please make sure you are in the first group at 10:15am as you have another appointment after the museum. Second group entrance time 10:30am.
FASHION
Meet Prof. Woodward outside the Accademia Gallery at 11:30am.
12 NOON
Guided tour of the Salvatore Ferragamo Shoe Museum.
After the tour we will walk all together to the other side of the river where you will have free time for lunch. First we will show you the entrance/meeting point for your visit to the Pitti Palace.
*Lunch Recommendation: Piazza Santo Spirito
Gustapizza or Osteria Santo Spirito
3:15PM
Meet Prof. Woodward back at the Pitti Palace for your timed entrance to the Fashion and Costume Galleries at 3:30pm.
CULTURAL CURIOSITY
Check with the hostel or the bar across the road to see if they will be televising the Calcio Storico — this is a ancient football match that will be happening at 7pm in Piazza Santa Croce. Unfortunately they have set up a system so that it is only really possible for locals to access tickets so we won’t be able to watch it in person.
NOTE: Because of the historic football match the area around Santa Croce Square will be closed off from about 4pm. Walking around the center of Florence in the afternoon you might run into the medieval costume parade that leads up to the football match.
BUSINESS & BIOCHEMISTRY
Meet Prof. Markin and Prof. Rai outisde the Accademia Gallery at 11:45Pm.
BIOCHEMISTRY at 2PM
Afternoon guided tour (1 hour) of the Specola Museum.
After the Accademia Gallery walk all together to Piazza Santo Spirito where you can have free time for lunch. Recommendations: GustaPizza or Osteria Santo Spirito for their famous gorgonzola truffle gnocchi — plus they do half serves which is all you really need!
BUSINESS - free afternoon
Monday June 16th - Day 8: Sneakers, Coffee, and Science
BUSINESS & BIOCHEM
In Florence, we will be focusing on one of Italy’s most important ‘food groups’ - COFFEE! Not only is Italy world renowned for the quality of its coffee and for exporting its ways of making coffee around the world, but recently there has been an explosion of interest, particularly from young Foodtrepreneurs, in micro-roasting, tasting (cupping), and technology.
MORNING
BIOCHEM - free morning
BUSINESS - meet with Davide about the business of selling coffee. He owns a bar in Santo Spirito. Time - TBC. Meeting point in front of the hostel around 9AM.
AFTERNOON
Today, we will be visiting La Marzocco - a historic, originally family run business, that started right here in Florence. La Marzocco made some of the first espresso machines both for commercial and home use, and have been official suppliers to companies both small and as big as Starbucks. https://www.lamarzocco.com/it/en/
Meet in front of the hostel at 1pm and we will take a local bus all together to their Coffee Academy.
FASHION
Start of our Sneaker Crawl - in recent years there has been a proliferation of designer sneaker companies many of which come from Florence. We will meet the owners, discuss their inspiration, creation, successes, and challenges. Company names and appointment times coming soon.
Meet in front of the hostel at 9AM.
10AM My Mancini
https://www.mymancini.it/
Created by Alessia and Matteo Mancini
11:30AM D.A.T.E Sneakers
https://www.date-sneakers.com/it/
Created by four friends Damiano, Alessandro, Tommaso, and Emiliano. They currently have a collab with the Empoli Seria A football (soccer) team.
D.A.T.E. FLAGSHIP STORE
Via del Parione 53/55 R
50123 - Firenze
AFTERNOON
Free visit (without appointment) to Golden Goose
https://www.goldengoose.com/it/it/stores/firenze/6
How do their sneakers and customizations compare to My Mancini.
Check out other sneaker stores and designers like Gucci and Prada.
INTERESTING ARTICLE ABOUT FASHION TRENDS IN ITALY:
https://romebusinessschool.com/blog/rome-business-school-report-italians-ask-for-sustainable-made-in-italy-online-fashion-brand-activism-green-fashion-and-rental-fashion-are-on-the-rise/
Tuesday June 17th - Day 9: Prato
The History of Textiles, Textile Production, and now Textile Recycling
EVERYONE
8AM meet in front of the hostel. We will be walking to Florence Central train station. We will take a short ride to the town of Prato where our guides for the day will meet us and take us to explore the world of textiles.
9:00 AM – Bus pick-up at Prato Central Station (with the guide)
9:30–10:30 AM – Visit to the Ragsmen
11:00 AM–12:00 PM – Visit to the Spinning Mill
12:30–1:30 PM – Visit to Rifò
1:30–2:00 PM – Lunch break near the Textile Museum (final bus stop)
2:00–3:00 PM – Visit to the Textile Museum
After the textiles museum we will walk back to the Prato train station to return all together to Florence.
7:30PM OPTIONAL: Dinner at Acqua al 2, walking time about 30 minutes
The business and biochemistry groups will be visiting Acqua al 2 restaurant tomorrow as part of their coursework. We have made a reservation for all of you to eat at Acqua al 2 tonight at 7:30PM. Please let us know in advance if you would like to go so we can advise the restaurant in plenty of time if the numbers are changing. Note: Acqua al 2 is famous for their Filet either with blueberry or balsamic sauce as well as their pasta sampler, which is 5 tastes of pasta for almost the same price as one normal pasta. The minimum spend for dinner will be around 35 euro which of course depends on how many courses you order and if you also have wine.
Unfortunately June is high season in Florence and it is very difficult to get restaurant bookings the day or week of. We have booked in advance because in previous years, the group was sad to have missed out.
Wednesday June 18th - Day 10:
BUSINESS & BIOCHEMISTRY
La Sosta Specialty Coffee with Simone
https://lasosta.coffee/en
Meet in front of the hostel at 9am. We will take local transport together to Simone’s Micro Roastery to explore the world of coffee, how it is made, why coffee’s taste different based on beans and roasting, the different ways to extract coffee, and more…
3PM Restauranteur/Owner - Stefano from Acqua al 2
https://www.acquaal2florence.com/
Acqua al 2 has been operating for over 40 years in Florence, started by Stefano and his sister, when they were in the early 20s. At the time, their goal was to create something Italian, but unique, different. Their success is evidenced in the fact that the menu has barely changed over the decades, that they are as popular as ever, and now have two restaurants in America. Ask Stefano about his steps into creating his own brand of sauces, and the challenges he has faced brining is secret sauces to the market.
FASHION
Meet in front of the hostel at 9AM.
Now that we are experts in fabric recycling and fashion sustainability we will be meeting with Flo Concept, first in their Atelier and then in their Concept Store. They started their project in 2010 so could be considered leaders in sustainable fashion, starting well before sustainability became a ‘buzz’ word in the industry.
https://www.floconcept.it/en/the-project/
FREE AFTERNOON
Thursday June 19th - Day 11: Florence - Chianti - Rome
CHECK-OUT: bring bags downstairs, hand in keys, and be ready outside the hostel at 8AM. We will be traveling by private bus. All suitcases will need to go under the bus. Backpacks and small bags can inside the bus with us.
9AM - visit the Piero Tucci Leather Factory. We will meet with the owners and artisans that produce handbags at Piero Tucci followed by some free time to explore and shop in their showroom. If you thin you want to buy a bag, remember that you can claim tax back on purchases of 155 euro or more. Make sure you have your passport information to fill out the tax back form.
https://www.pierotucci.com/en10AM back on the bus to drive to Castello di Verrazzano. Your tour of the castle and wine cellars will begin promptly at 10:50am. The tour will be followed by a lunch that includes:
PDO Tuscan ham, finocchiona, wild boar salami, head cheese with lemon zest, crostino with lard from the Val di Greve, Tuscan crostino
tasting of "Balsamico Verrazzano" on pecorino (sheep cheese)
Goat cheese with farm jellies
Organic extra virgin olive oil from Castello di VerrazzanoAnd last but not least traditional cantuccini almond biscotti.
https://www.verrazzano.com/en/At 1:30PM we will get back on our bus and drive to Rome. Please make sure you use the bathroom at Verrazzano before we leave. The drive to Rome will be approximately 3.5 hours, we will stop once along the way as required to use the restrooms.
5PM-ish Check-in to our hostel in Rome.
Rome, Italy
Thursday June 19th to Sunday June 22nd
GENERATOR HOSTEL
Via Principe Amedeo, 251, 00185 Roma RM
Friday June 20th - Day 12:
BUSINESS & BIOCHEM
Meet with the owner of a three star hotel in Rome.
FASHION
Dolce and Gabbana Exhibition at 10AM
From the Heart to the Hands
Discover the inspiration, creative process and craftsmanship behind Dolce&Gabbana's one-of-a-kind creations.
AFTERNOON
TBC
Saturday June 21st - Day 13:
EVERYONE
9AM Colosseum timed entrance - CONFIRMED
FREE DAY to explore Rome.
Last Night, farewell event to celebrate two amazing weeks in Europe together!
Sunday June 22nd - Day 14: Time to go home!
CHECK-OUT: Bring bags downstairs, hand in rooms keys, and be ready to walk to the Roma Termini Train Station. We will organize groups and times based on when your flights are leaving. The train to Rome Fiumicino Airport leaves twice an hour, and takes 3o minutes.
For international flights it is advised that you arrive three hours prior to departure.
Prof Markin and Prof Rai will be leaving on a 9:45am flight.
If you are on the same flight, meet in reception at 6am to walk together to the train station.
Train tickets will be provided.
Emergency Contacts
Anna
Local Representative
+39 328-729-0848
Craig
Contact for any issues with tickets or after hour concerns
1-636-236-7928