What inspired you to travel abroad?
Going to France and traveling around in Europe has always been something I have wanted to do, but I thought of it as something I would do much later in the future. It was my French professor who encouraged me to go for it now and to apply to this program, as well as other students who went on this program and told me how great of an experience they had.
Whitewashed Houses in Greece
Why did you choose IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies?
French was my second major, so I felt like a French language immersion program was a really great way to surround myself in the culture and truly grow in my language speaking and comprehension skills.
What was your favorite part about Nantes, France?
I really liked that there were endless amounts of places to discover and explore in the city. There was a huge garden right near my house, and a full out castle right next to it. I could walk a few minutes from the castle and find a bustling shopping area, and just a tram ride away was a river, which I could cross with a boat to find another area with beautiful colorful buildings. It was easy to find new places to go and things to see, so it made the city exciting.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I would say my host family really made my study abroad experience. We would go on trips, do different activities together, and have conversations where I learned about their life experiences, interests, and beliefs. Along with being so accommodating, they were amazing cooks, hilarious, and really made me feel included and supported. They made me feel like family, and the connection I made with them is something I cherish and I plan to maintain.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The IES staff were very helpful and willing to answer any questions or concerns I had. For example, I wanted to work during my time abroad, and when I asked for help I was quickly connected with the different opportunities available.
International students at statue of David in Florence, Italy
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I did not worry as much as I did about doing well in my classes. Both the IES and university classes are catered for the study abroad student to succeed, so you will definitely do so if you put in the effort. Although I would have still invested time in my classes, I would have also gone on more of the group activities prepared by the teachers assistants and just spend more time exploring new areas of the city.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
On weekdays I wake up, get ready, and eat a quick breakfast if I have enough time before the bus arrives. I take the bus and then the tram to my IES classes I have for that day. I typically finish my classes at around lunchtime, so I grab lunch with some friends — usually at the viennoiserie near the IES building that has amazing sandwiches and desserts. After that, depending on the day, I attend a salsa dance class at the university, or head to my job, or explore the city with friends. I then head back home for dinner with my host family. On weekends, it's a little less structured and mainly involves spending time with my host family, going out with friends, and doing some homework for the following week.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I really enjoyed traveling around Europe with my fellow study abroad friends during the breaks and sometimes weekends. Being that I have not traveled to many new places before, it was such a surreal experience visiting so many new countries and seeing many different cultures in such a short span of time.
What did you like best about living with a host family?
What I liked best about living with a host family was that it was a comfortable way to create deeper bonds with native French speakers by having conversations and learning about their life experiences, beliefs, and interests. I particularly liked having play dates and going to the zoo with my host family's grand kids, as well as the lunch and dinners with my host family and their friends.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
No one in the program expects you to speak French fluently. It is designed to improve your French speaking and comprehension skills, and if that is one of your goals, then it is important to be willing to speak French often, and to never be afraid of making mistakes when doing so. Having the courage to continue speaking, despite knowing that you may not be saying everything correctly, is the best way to truly improve and grow confidence in your language skills.
Would you recommend IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies to others? Why?
I would recommend this program because not only did it push me to improve my French, but it provided me with new experiences, amazing memories, and lasting bonds that I would have never gained otherwise.
Group of international students in mountains of Portugal
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
Traveling abroad truly makes you broaden your perspective of people and humanity as a whole, because it gives you the ability to witness and take part in lifestyles and cultures so different from your own. When I was traveling in Europe, I felt very humbled to be in the presence of so many rich traditions, languages, and societies I knew nothing of, because it reminded me of how vast the world is and how little I really knew of it.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I am definitely more confident communicating in French, and a political science class I took at the university has given me an interest in world events and international organizations. Thanks to my host family and the gastronomy class I took, I have also been influenced to cook more and to appreciate unfamiliar cuisines. One interesting thing is that before going abroad I never really had dessert after a meal, but since there was nearly always dessert after meals in France, I am now always craving something sweet after lunch or dinner!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is going to places with the intent of learning — learning about the people, the culture, the food, and even yourself in a different environment. It’s appreciating the new area you are in and making connections with the community there.
