What inspired you to travel abroad?
If I’m entirely honest, one day I just decided to. I don’t know if it was some post I saw or something that reminded me of it, but I was determined ever since.
There wasn’t much inspiration—I had just always wanted to go somewhere, and so I did. I had always had that 2010’s tween love of France (everything Eiffel Tower and poodles), so it just made sense for me to go where I had always loved!
Why did you choose ISA by WorldStrides?
I studied abroad through ISA, and I did so because of how supported I felt within the program. Their website had all of the information that I needed, so I felt comforted knowing that I wasn’t just being thrown into another country and told ‘good luck’.
I had continual contact with the program supervisors both in Paris and in the United States, so I knew I was in good hands.
Tour de Eiffel! (Of course)
What was your favorite part about Paris, France?
The people! Most of the negatives I heard about France were the rudeness, especially to Americans, but that couldn't have been further from the truth.
I felt welcomed throughout the entire city, especially in my home arrondissement. I became a regular at many restaurants and cafes and even made friends with some of the wait staff!
As long as you remain kind, they will be kind in return.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My ability to balance school life with my own personal traveling wants truly made my experience extraordinary. Even though I feel as if I learned more than I ever have, I feel that a good majority of the learning happens outside the classroom when you study abroad!
Just getting the time to experience life around me, as I wanted to truly elevate my time spent in Paris.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff supported me in so many ways throughout my program. From weekend excursions to helping me print out my Olivia Rodrigo tickets right before the concert, they were with me every time I needed them.
They ensured that I was safe and educated about the new world around me, and were constantly available when needed.
View from the Pantheon
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have traveled outside of Paris more! I spent one day in Fontainebleau, and even though it was similar to Paris, it had its own unique charm.
Many of my classmates went to other countries, and I wish I would have done the same. Travel across Europe is so inexpensive, and you get to see so much more!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
My typical day began at around 7:40 a.m.—leaving me just enough time to get to class via the metro. I frequently opted to grab breakfast at Gare du Nord, but my host mom always made sure that it was available to me.
I took my beloved Line 4 to the Université de Catholique, where I then had my intensive French class until noon. Soon after, me and other girls from my program would grab lunch together, always trying out different spots around the area and sometimes venturing even further for a good bite.
I loved to use the time between lunch and my next class to check out nearby shops—I always made sure to scour jewelry stores and pick up the most unique pieces. Thanks to the metro, I could usually go a few arrondissements away and be back within the hour—leading to some amazing finds.
From there, I went to my art and architecture class—the absolute highlight of my day. We went all around the city, going to museums and studying the architecture around it. The knowledge I learned was truly invaluable, and I couldn't have imagined going to the museums in any other way!
Then, it was my free time for the night. Usually, I went home and ate dinner with my host mother and my roommate—always having the most amazing food and bread.
Dinner typically lasted a few good hours as we talked about our days, our thoughts on our time so far, and our plans for the week ahead. Around nine was my 'wind down' time, which typically consisted of walking down to Hôtel du Nord (an amazing spot to check out!) and having a mocktail with my roommate while we people-watched.
Gustave Moreau Museum located in the 9th
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I enjoyed exploring the arrondissements around me. On my free days, I typically would decide on one specific place I wanted to visit, go there, and then explore the surrounding neighborhood.
One thing that I loved about Paris is how safe I felt there. While of course I took the necessary precautions, as long as my phone was charged, I felt confident to go anywhere my heart desired.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in a homestay! I loved everything about it, if I’m entirely honest—it feels impossible to just pick one.
If I absolutely had to, though, I would say it would be the closeness I felt to the culture. I stayed in the tenth arrondissement, and the neighborhood was rather college-esque, so there was always something happening.
Talking to my host mom also gave me a much better insight into the culture of Paris, letting me in on things that I wouldn’t have otherwise been privy to—things like their actual diets, way of living in the smaller apartments, and so much more.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Know that you’re not alone! My program made meeting others so easy—not only in classrooms but also around Paris.
They gave us the needed skills to navigate city life and help us feel much less lonely in a time that can sometimes feel so isolating. Take advantage of these opportunities! Go on the excursions, talk with your peers, it will be so worth it in the end!
Château de Fontainebleau on an ISA excursion
Would you recommend ISA by WorldStrides to others? Why?
I absolutely would! As I’ve said, ISA provides so much support—I knew I was safe, and I always felt confident that any issues I had, I could bring to the staff in Paris.
I also loved the options I had for my classes. Their partnership with the Institut Catholique de Paris immersed me in university life, as well as helped me meet people from all over the world.
I also loved the class I took directly with them—I attended the art and architecture class, and got to see so many museums that would have never crossed my path otherwise. Not only did I just get to see them, but I was also guided through the museums and streets of Paris with a professor who was so well-versed in the city around her that it was truly like nothing else.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is expanding your worldview. You may think you understand a culture, but you don’t until you actually live there.
It opens your mind to so many other ideas and experiences that there is truly nothing else like it. Even in the single month I was in Paris, I felt that I learned more than I had in my nineteen years alive!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has impacted my life in so, so many ways. It completely changed my outlook on my time in university.
I used to be very reserved, fearing the unknown and staying away from putting myself in any sort of stressful situation, but now I’m the complete opposite. I frequently find myself thinking, ‘I literally went to France alone, I can do this’, and push past almost all of my anxiety!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means doing what you love—prioritizing your own needs, immersing yourself in the culture around you, and making sure your wants are met.
This is why I loved solo traveling. I got to do what I wanted, to see the sights that I wanted to see, and make friends with locals around me all on my own time.
