Posted By: Career Enrichment Network
Content and Photos contributed by Sarah Ross.
Sarah Ross, Majoring in International Politics with a French Minor, spent her Spring 2016 in Aix en Provence, France. Read more about her study abroad experience below.
I am currently in Aix en Provence which is in the southern part of France. I’m with IAU which is the American university here. I chose this location because I knew I wanted to study in France, just not Paris and I heard Aix was beautiful and had good weather! One of the best things that have happened to me since coming to France is that, I have become better at French because not many people speak English in this town, so it’s forced me to speak French. Plus with this program, I was allowed to stay with a host family which is what I wanted to do in the first place.
After I graduate, I want to continue doing something with French so I can be fluent. My classes here have helped me learn more about what I want to do and my professors have background information on some of the things I’m interested in, which helps.
The advice I would give to someone studying abroad is: Just Go. Don’t consider, just go. You will not regret any of it. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and your life will still be the same when you come home but you will be different and will have seen so much of the world.
There are no words for my education here. I have learned SO much. My professors here have opened my eyes. Plus, I’ve received and education just by living here and traveling.
My host family has definitely impacted me. I have heard so many horror stories on people with bad host families but I got one of the best host families in this program. The dad is British and the mom is French, and I have a host sister who is half and half. They have just given us so much and truly care about us and I couldn’t imagine my experience any other way.
Sarah also contributed a Student Profile on the Career Enrichment Website. Read more about her experience abroad there!
Interested in studying abroad in the future? The summer is a great time to start planning! All Liberal Arts students studying or interning abroad are eligible for Enrichment Funding. To learn more, please schedule an appointment via Network Symplicity or email Jackie Smith, Global Experiences Coordinator (jds54@psu.edu) (edit)