Alumni Interview with Shannon Egan

What inspired you to go abroad?

Honestly, I fully believe my interest in studying abroad started when I was really young. I was swooned by every Eiffel Tower photo I ever saw, chose to take french all throughout high school and ended up choosing a small town in the south of France to study abroad in during the spring semester of my junior year of college. The first time I went abroad was the summer after my freshman year of college and I thank that trip for increasing my interest in the international world too. I couldn't believe how different another culture was from mine. I felt that there was always something to learn and someone to meet.

Why did you choose CEA?

Once I narrowed it down to France, I was between Paris, Grenoble and Aix. I chose Aix because I wanted to feel like a local after four months and not just a tourist as I was warned can happen in Paris. I also realized that I wanted the luxury of being able to walk everywhere without having to rely on public transportation. Lastly, Aix was a small enough town where I could really feel at home after only four months of living there.

I choose to go through CEA because I spoke with a girl who went to Aix through CEA during her junior year of college. She couldn't stop saying enough good things about CEA and how helpful they were. Their pre departure was organized very well and they were incredibly helpful upon arrival too. They picked us up from the airport, gave us a three day orientation, had a packet full of information and tips about the city, organized cheese tastings and weekly excursions for us and were always willing to help out in any way they could. The on site staff in Aix really knew how to support American students and could not have been more kind.

What was your favorite part about Aix?

I LOVED being able to walk everywhere. It was a small, cute town so I never felt overwhelmed and I always had a good idea of where I was which is really good for someone like me who is directionally challenged.  Every corner held its own portion of beauty and there was a constant calming buzz from the people in the streets. The French language literally sang in your ears everywhere you went too. It was absolutely beautiful.

What made your experience abroad unique?

I was incredibly blessed to have made some lifelong friends. I still keep in touch with all of them a year after the program. In the fall I visited my roommate at her home university in Pittsburgh and in the spring I hope to visit two friends in California, all of whom I met through CEA in Aix. We also made some good friends who were locals in Aix. I talk to them every once and a while and it is fun to practice my French with them and catch up with them too. My experience would not have been half the experience without them and I truly believe if you make the effort then you will make amazing friends too. Coming home, our friendships have gotten even deeper. No one else understands your time abroad like the friends you spent it with so coming home and being able to call them to talk about it continues to bring us closer together. We all push each other to be our best selves and to never stop exploring this beautiful world we live in.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

Vivienne and Nancy organized weekend excursions, set up cheese tastings, posted activities going on in town on the FB page and always had their door open if we ever wanted to talk. The orientation was really good too. We had group meals so we could meet each other when we first arrived and they gave us a lot of helpful information in their welcome packet. Everything from what to do if you needed to go to the doctor to what the past student's favorite spot in town was in that packet. They were so kind and truly willing and happy to help you with anything you needed.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I wish I ate more food. ...And I ate a lot when I was there.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

I would wake up, get a croissant and fruit from the market, go to school and have lunch at home or with friends. After classes, I would go for a run with a friend, eat dinner with the my roommate after we attempted to cook (we were both beginner cooks so it was pretty funny), and then I would do a little bit of homework or go out with friends. Some nights we got a drink with friends or we would stay home, get to know one other, talk about our hometowns and eat a lot of food.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

Going to the market, running in Parc du Jourdain, eating and drinking with friends, and walk the streets of Aix.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

I was in an apartment with another girl who was in CEA and we got along super well. It was the perfect amount of space - the downstairs had a couch, table, bathroom, and a small stove and fridge.  Upstairs, there were two beds, two desks, and shelves for our clothes. The best part was our location - we were a two minute walk from downtown and a ten minute walk from school, so everything was super convenient.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Make three copies of your passport. Keep the real one in your room. Keep one copy in your wallet, one at home, and the third somewhere else where you won't forget it. Get good walking shoes!!! Spend money on good ones, it is SO worth it!

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

I am WAY better at speaking French. I know how to travel cheaply and how to plan a weekend trip. The friends I made there are still people I rely on when making big decisions. They are the kinds of people you can pick up the phone day or night and talk to for hours and you both hang up feeling an immense amount of gratitude for ever having met them. I learned how to treat my body better and grocery shop thanks to the markets I explored in France.

Would you recommend CEA to others? Why?

YES! CEA blew my expectations out of the water. They held your hand through the entire process (pre departure, during and after your time abroad). Each person on their staff is SO nice and helpful and they made my experience truly worthwhile.