Brianna Angulo (France, 2022-23)

Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity for personal growth, cultural immersion, and academic enrichment. One of the most challenging aspects I encountered during my study abroad experience was adjusting to a new culture and language. Everything felt foreign and unfamiliar, from daily customs to social norms. Learning a new language required significant effort, but with persistence and immersion, I gradually adapted and became more comfortable communicating in the local language. The most surprising aspect of my study abroad experience was the warmth and friendliness of the people at Sciences Po and the broader community. The faculty, staff, and fellow students were incredibly supportive and went out of their way to ensure everyone's success. The courses at Sciences Po differed from those at my home university, UCSD, regarding their engaging nature and emphasis on stimulating discussion. The smaller class sizes allowed for more interaction and personalized attention from professors. The academic environment encouraged critical thinking, diverse perspectives, and in-depth analysis, fostering a deeper understanding of the subjects. Their genuine interest in cultural exchange and academic growth fostered a welcoming and inclusive environment.

One unforgettable experience from my study abroad journey was my visit to Morocco. The trip allowed me to immerse myself in a vibrant culture, explore breathtaking landscapes, and engage in thrilling adventures. From wandering through bustling markets to riding camels across the Sahara Desert, the experience was both eye-opening and transformative.

Through my study abroad experience, I learned a great deal about myself. I discovered that I could adapt to new environments, overcome challenges, and embrace unfamiliar situations. In addition, the experience instilled in me a sense of confidence and resilience, demonstrating that with determination and strength, anything is possible.

I wholeheartedly recommend studying abroad to students back home. It offers unparalleled personal and academic growth, broadens horizons, and fosters cross-cultural understanding. While a semester-long program can be transformative, I strongly recommend a full year abroad. A longer duration allows for deeper immersion in the local culture, an opportunity to travel extensively, and establish meaningful connections. During my study abroad year, I was fortunate to visit more than 11 countries, enriching my understanding of the world.

My study abroad experience has reinforced and refined my career plans. Being exposed to diverse cultures and engaging in international dialogue fueled my passion for diplomacy. Witnessing the power of effective communication and cultural understanding, I am now more determined than ever to pursue a career in diplomacy, where I can bridge gaps and foster collaboration on a global scale.

My study abroad experience was filled with challenges, surprises, personal growth, and unforgettable moments. It broadened my perspectives, deepened my understanding of different cultures, and solidified my aspirations for the future. Studying abroad is an invaluable journey I recommend to all students seeking personal, academic, and professional development.

Shellsea De Leon (France, 2021-22)

As my year comes to a close, I have come to realize how amazing this opportunity has been. I’m not from a small town or even a small city, far from it. Los Angeles is an immense city with many vibrant cultures that I encounter every day. However, I had never been outside of this bubble and I was so accustomed to everything I saw. Paris, on the other hand, provided a breath of fresh air. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was met with what would be my home for the next year. The sky was cloudy in Parisian fashion, and the city was crowded with locals going on and living their lives. I was enamored by the small cafes and the typical European architecture. Even as I struggled to carry my luggage up four flights of stairs, I was not deterred in any way. I knew I was going to make this place my home. So for the next week I made sure to go around and visit many places as I could around the city. With just some tennis shoes on and a bit of money in my pocket, I made my way through the city. Seeing something new that I have always been anticipating seeing was so thrilling. To this day, that first week is stored as one of the most memorable times for me. 

As I came to know more about the city, it meant that I got to know more about its people and the culture. And I can say that I had definite culture shock. Simple things like crossing the street irrespective of whether or not the light is red to learning and experiencing that French people are more likely to be closed off to strangers. This exposure was completely different to what I’m used to but I welcomed it with open arms and the willingness to assimilate. The good thing was that I was not alone in my journey but that many other students like me were in the same boat. That is what I loved about Sciences Po. 

Learning at a prestigious school like Sciences Po was an amazing experience. With half of the population being exchange students, I felt like I could fit in. We were all coming from different backgrounds and we all came here with a common desire to get the best experience possible. The first semester there was one of my favorites because I got to take classes outside my specific major and learn more about European law and culture. One of the classes that I really enjoyed was that of Women’s rights and how different women across the world perceive them to be. It was a great way to start talking about feminism but at a deeper level and with points of views from different cultures. In all honesty, having professors from different backgrounds and walks of life also provided to be incredibly refreshing and made classes more engaging. All in all my first semester was filled with a lot of trial and error but it was completely worth it. That semester I also made many new friends and got in contact with old faces. People are right about how spending a year abroad with friends is magical and how you make some of the best memories. 

That being said, second semester provided to be a lot more difficult for myself both academically and socially. I was faced with my closest friends going back to the States and with classes being more challenging. Unlike the last semester, I decided to challenge myself to take one more class in French and it was my first experience with a French lecture class. More than 200 students filled the auditorium and many were first-year students with hopes that they would do amazing that semester. And I also took it upon myself to take more political science classes than last semester (as I ended up taking none). The only exception was the script writing class I decided to take that was taught in French. And it gave me a break from the purely academic classes I was taking. If I had not taken that class, I am pretty sure I would have been strongly disappointed the entire semester. But, taking all these classes provided me with groundbreaking insight about myself. This entire year was filled with self-discovery but the most important was that maybe the career path I wanted to take was not right for me. Before coming to Franc I was so sure that I wanted to become a lawyer and go to law school, but in actuality it provided me with more confusion as to what I want to do with my life. In a sense I am incredibly grateful because not only did these classes provide scholarly insight but also personal. 

Leaving now feels like a dream because of how long I have been here but also the life I have constructed. I honestly do not think that I am going to be the same once I go back home, but that is good thing because it shows personal growth. Am I prepared to go back to UCSD now? Not in the slightest. Even if at times Paris seemed like it dimmed in comparison to home, it made such a huge impact on my heart that going back to UCSD feels a bit saddening. But I’m sure that I will be back in the future, if not for academics then I’ll be there visiting friends that I left behind. I will never forget this experience in a million years, and I’m incredibly grateful that you all made this experience possible. 

Jessica Pham (France, 2013-14)

My year in Paris has been one of the most monumental, character-shaping, and honestly incredible experiences I have had in my, albeit rather short, twenty-one year existence. I remember feeling a palpable sense of apprehension and slight anxiety before my arrival last August–and understandably so, as I was not quite as well-versed in conversational French as I would like to have been, and had never travelled to Europe, let alone off the North American continent. The prospect seemed challenging, for these obvious reasons, but more than anything, completely exhilarating. Since my first days, which to be quite honest, rather resembled a blur until I adequately readjusted to the time change, I can attest to the widely claimed fact that Paris is truly a unique city, a world that doesn’t seem to exist anywhere else, and can completely enchant almost any person with its distinct charm. I had the pleasure of living with a wonderful French host-family my first semester and was therefore exposed to the kind of French hospitality that I probably would not have gained through the cafes of the city. They were, and still are, shapers of my experience here, as I was lucky enough to have spent months dining with them, eating and learning about French cuisine, and practicing my rather limited speaking skills. It was amazing to me that I could feel such a sense of home in their small apartment in the 19th arrondissement, even though I knew I was miles away from my own. I will cherish my time that I had spent with them, and am confident that I will keep in touch for many years to come.

Moreover, my time at Sciences Po was a very…enlightening experience. It actually proved to be one of the more challenging aspects of my time here, not necessarily due to the level of difficulty of the classes (which were more or less similar to that of UCSD’s) but the overall structure of the French education system. I found the rigidity of the professors, particularly grading wise, quite different from the American system that I am clearly accustomed to–I remember my political theory professor put the difference quite succinctly by stating that the “French way is to always point out the things you had done wrong”, while the “American way is to always encourage what you had done right.” This sort of mantra seemed increasingly apparent as I progressed through my year, but I found the difference after some time and adjustment, quite constructive. I also enjoyed being a part of a university with a much smaller student body. It was so interesting to be able to meet not only native French students, but also those from (quite literally) all over the world. These friendships, which have been cultivated by the shared experience of studying abroad, exploring Paris and travelling around the world together for a year, will be one of my fondest memories to take back home with me.

I feel so very fortunate to have had the chance to explore new countries and cultures, but also more importantly, myself. Of course, studying abroad presented its own set of distinct challenges–although I never really found myself to be ‘homesick’, there were definitely moments where I would find myself thinking about what events in my family and friends’ lives I was missing because I was here. The realization that I had missed a year’s worth of holidays, birthdays, weddings, graduations and other milestone events, struck me sometime at the beginning of this year, but I believe that it is one that will serve as a reminder to cherish such moments when I return back home. Moreover, there are small, rather obscure daily challenges that I had not quite anticipated–little things such as different working hours (this seems to still be somewhat baffling to me come every Sunday), overly crowded metros that you know completely violate all standards of safety, and general miscommunication with locals due to mispronouncing a letter in a particular word. But these things, as I would advise to any future students who will be in the same position, should be taken as part of the overall ‘ride’ of studying abroad. I believe that such seemingly unimportant ‘complications’ can slowly but surely help shape a sense of independence and confidence in one’s self and abilities. I have found this to be true in my own case.

It seems so very strange to be leaving after almost ten months in this city. I find myself thinking that even if I could live here for ten more years, I would still find new things to experience every day. The beauty and wonder of the people and places would still strike me. While I know that I will find my way back here (hopefully) in more instances in the future, I can see that nothing will be quite the same as my time spent as a student. I will always treasure and look back at this past year with the utmost fondness, knowing that my future return to this place will be that much sweeter.

Thank you so very much for these experiences, and so many others that are indescribable.

Kipp Trieu (France, 2008-09)

I had to ask what ‘911’ was in France.  Not that I was in a burning building or anything, I was writing an emergency protocol for a Sciences Po summer program.

The French person who I asked knew immediately what 911 itself meant; I asked how.  “You see that in every American movie, of course.”  Bien sûr.

After spending time abroad I’ve come to the realization that immense as the United States might be (in political and cultural impact - my final exam prompt for “World Space” at Sciences Po was on American “soft power” in the public sphere… in other words from that class, ‘cultural imperialism’), we can’t afford to continually seek solace behind our Freedom Fries, especially in this age of internationalization.  We can’t afford to not know of and understand the world and peoples beyond our borders, for doing so gives us singular learning opportunities.  Having these experiences allows us to not only exposure to other peoples and their essences, their customs, culture, etc., but it also allows us to reflect upon ourselves and learn about our own mores and ways of “doing things.”  Indeed this pedagogy of “l’autrui” (a French word loosely translated to “those around us”) is valuable not only for people living and working internationally, but even more essential for primary and secondary education, I argue, and that “proper” education abroad experiences are particularly important for creating effective, aware world citizens.

During my studies and travels, I found that quite a few people speak English.  So why bother learning anything else?  This notion “translates” to lack of second language (and culture) education in primary schools, weak programs for languages & literatures other than English at university level.  UC San Diego’s French Literature department for example recently took a deep cut in funding, hence the department offers only a limited selection of courses.

But here enters a strange relationship between Guillaume le Conquérant and the GRE.  The former became the first Norman King of England in 1066, introducing French lexicon into the English language, the latter’s Verbal module tests on archaic English words, which often had French roots.  Indeed, learning French, a language of “l’autrui,” allowed me insights into my own language, and a (slight, but enough for grad school) boost on the GRE sans the use flash cards.  “Aggrandize?”  From the French “agrandir,” to make bigger.

More largely, learning about “l’autrui” can help us learn about ourselves.  The student abroad is engaged in a reflective process, forcing them to actively analyze home vs. host culture and to engage with host culture.  This process “makes sense” makes meaningful connections between one’s culture and the host culture, and gives the student a unique flexibility in understanding culture and the essence of people; this process is only available to students who study abroad.  Further, living with l’autrui can make one appreciate little things found at home like speedy lines at the post office or consolidated paperwork for going to the bathroom, while highlighting the nuances found in the host culture.  For example when one opens a bank account in France, a “conseiller,” the equivalent of a “personal banker” here, is assigned to your account, and this conseiller only will manage your account, whereas at banks here any personal banker will help with accounts.  This often causes time-consuming bureaucratic red tape (as I discovered) but it reveals the very human dimension of French culture, where a ‘no’ can in fact mean a ‘yes’ after a good amount of plying.

The lessons learned from the pedagogy of l’autrui, among them mutual respect and understanding, are important even for the primary school age, where social lessons heavily include respect for others and “getting along” and “sharing.”  As a soon-to-be teacher, I am fortunate to have had these experiences of learning to be a world citizen, and hope to pass on this wisdom to my students.

I applaud the CBMSF, which for me has embodied these world citizen principles with which we must move forward to be successful as a society, for continuing to target yearlong applicants to EAP.  Though this might make me a “study abroad snob,” I argue that to attain a degree of immersion that truly begins to offer unique understanding of the host culture and move from a temporary visitor status; this additional time is needed for the proper engagement of the student with the host environment and the pedagogy of l’autrui.

My experiences from the Education Abroad Program and from being a part of the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund have impacted my views on effective teaching, intercultural teaching and equity of education.  Further, spending time abroad has allowed me to learn and reflect upon myself as a person and as a productive member of the “global village.”  My hope is to impart to my students what I have learned of being a world citizen.

Nicola Hil (France 2007-08)

Since my exams ended three weeks ago, June has technically been a month of vacation for me, meaning that I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my year abroad as I tie up loose ends and say goodbye to friends. Initially, I thought that writing up my reflections on my ten months in France would be relatively simple, because I already had so many thoughts in my head. However, now that I sit down, in one of my favorite cafés in the centre ville of Lyon, to write something concrete, I find that it is a much harder process than I thought. I was recently discussing studying abroad with my program director, Christine, and the fact that I don’t really feel like I am studying abroad anymore. Lyon has become much more than a destination to explore and a place to study. It is where I will look back when I consider the different places I have lived and called home. I am finding it difficult to write my reflections on my EAP experience because I have grown out of the EAP program and have touched on something much more complicated.

I can’t really speak for others, we all react uniquely to the situations we are placed in, but I will say that I now distinguish two kinds of study abroad students in my head. For some, France has remained a foreign country, a place to visit, and an opportunity to speak a different language from time to time. For others, France has become another home where the culture is now familiar, where the language is an ongoing communication with others, and where the complexities of the country have become apparent. It is perhaps easier for those in the first group to enjoy France and then to go back to California, which they never really left in the first place, and discuss their experience abroad. I count myself among the second group, which makes reflecting on my ten months in this country very difficult. It is as hard as when people ask me what my life was like in England or when non-Californians ask me to describe what California is like. How to describe something that is filled with a million experiences, where each town has a different feel and where living there is just what you do.

I feel very divided as I get ready to leave Lyon. On one hand, I feel connected to this place and my friends here, but on the other, I feel that I have only just scratched the surface. My level in French has improved and has surpassed my expectations, yet I know I am not fluent and could never be considered French. (After nine years in California, people still know from my voice and my mannerisms that I’m not Californian!) It would be nice to stay a second year; maybe then I would feel like I had learned enough! Studying abroad has given me a travel bug and a desire to learn more about subjects that interest me. There seems to be a never-ending list of things to discover and learn about! In that respect, I am not too sad to finish this EAP year abroad, because I know this will not be my last time in a different country or my last challenging, but rewarding experience.

Academically, this year has been extremely worthwhile, but not in terms of courses and grades. Since there is always the possibility that my courses won’t transfer (I won’t know until I get back and petition them), I quickly stopped feeling unnecessarily stressed about my degree in California. I took more units than was required, I made sure to take courses that reflected the requirements of the UCSD political science department, and I stayed in contact with my academic advisers. Otherwise, I just enjoyed learning about subjects that interested me and concentrated on improving my French. In terms of grades, the French system is very different from the American. All students are graded in relation to each other, meaning that usually getting the “moyen” or average is considered a good grade and anything higher is fantastic. Class grades in general are much more uncertain as they usually depend on one test graded directly by the professor. Usually I focus almost too much on achieving the best grade I can, but this year that mentality was just not possible. Instead, I concentrated on my own sense of progress and success. I tried to improve my writing and communication skills in French to minimize the difference between me and the French students. By the end of my courses I had no idea in terms of the grades I would receive, but I personally knew that I had done my best. During my last few exams of the year I forgot that I was an international student and just wrote as feverishly as the other students to get my ideas down in the allotted time. There is no doubt in my mind that I prefer the Californian system, but I know that I can hold my own in the French academic climate. I’m just a little worried now that my English has declined somewhat… So far writing this reflection has been a bit challenging, as I keep misspelling words according to the French spelling and want to use French expressions. For example: “I am not arriving at expressing myself clearly” is what I would write if I could use French!

As you know, I took advantage of my time in Europe by travelling a great deal, particularly to visit my family and friends in England. In that respect, this year has been a time of immense personal growth for me, as I had always been nervous about travelling to unknown places. Now if I want to see a place or meet up with someone in a different city or country, I do the research, hop on the appropriate transport, and get myself there! I find that I am much more confident when dealing with challenging situations and can distinguish between spilled milk and serious issues when getting frustrated or worried. I also value my loved ones a great deal. I always have appreciated and loved my family and close friends, but now I can see that distances are only physical barriers, they do not have to separate us from those we love if we are willing to put the time and effort into staying in contact. Visiting my grandparents and other relatives in England was a wonderful experience, as I was able to reconnect with them as an adult and on an individual basis. It was also lovely to see my mum after nine months and spend time with her in Lyon, where I have made a niche for myself. Travelling also made me realize how connected I have become to France, as I was always happy to come home to my apartment here. What a strange realization it was when I discovered that I felt more at ease being surrounded by French speakers in Lyon than by all the many English-speaking people in Greece and even in England!

I didn’t think it would ever happen, but recently I have begun to think in French. I pick up the telephone and have to stop myself from saying a French phrase to an Anglo friend. When thinking during a conversation, I also construct sentences in French without realizing and then have to scramble them into English before speaking to a non-French speaker. It was very satisfying on my recent trip to Nice to talk to people and see them realize that I do speak French. A man at the train station helpfully told us why the train was late and, remarking that we’d been talking in English, looked apologetic and asked if we could understand French. I said, “oui” and then ended up chatting with him for half hour about the train strikes, the government of Monaco, and the laws that regulate work hours in France. He interrupted me at one point with a rather surprised look on his face and said, “so, you really do speak French, your level is very good!” I think that may be one of the best compliments to get after the slow, halting process it took for me to really improve my French. And, of course, I still have those days when I get up in the morning and can’t seem to put a simple phrase together or when I enter a café and am left searching for the words to order something. If future study abroad students ever ask me about learning a foreign language, I will tell them that it is a hard and sometimes discouraging process, but in the end, if you put in the effort, you will improve and it will be worth all the work. Now I just need to learn Spanish… I’m enrolled in a class for beginners next quarter, let’s hope my French will help me a bit!

Looking back, the beginning of the year seems very far away now, yet I think my first month in France was the most important. Searching for housing was difficult and months later the ideal housing situation I ended up in has not dulled my memory of what a tough process it was. Being thrown into Lyon and living out of a suitcase while frantically searching through online ads for roommates was terrifying to say the least. However, I was surprised to find that I was extremely happy to be in Lyon despite the challenges of the housing search. My close friend Becky and I would say that everything would be perfect if only we had a place to live! And by some miraculous turn of events I ended up finding exactly what I was looking for: a single, furnished room in “collocation” with a French girl and with all the utilities included. I moved in immediately, saying goodbye to my friends at the residence we were staying at, and felt settled-in right away. After two weeks of sleeping on hard beds with unfamiliar bedding, it was incredible to go to sleep for the first time in my own bed. I think that was the best night of sleep I have had in Lyon! The initial elation of finding my apartment never really left me, mainly because as I got to know my roommate Anne more, I felt even more at home. It has been great to find an ideal living situation and get a close friend out of it! What’s more, throughout the year she corrected my French and even looked over my assignments to catch grammar mistakes!

Before coming to Lyon I was terrified about housing and it was the main aspect of studying abroad that I agonized over. If future study abroad students ever want advice, I would say that yes, finding housing is difficult and not fun. However, it is a fantastic way to get to know the city you have arrived in. You are instantly forced to take public transportation, get comfortable in internet cafés, communicate with people, and learn about banking, laws, and culture. For the most part, people are helpful when talking to foreign students, which makes the housing search a bit easier for internationals. If you don’t understand right away due to the language barrier or because you just don’t know what to expect with housing, it is absolutely fine to ask questions and seem confused. The people you talk to know that you are struggling with an unfamiliar language and country. Plus, being an international student is interesting, which makes you more appealing as a potential roommate. In the end, everyone on my program found housing that was ideal or, if it wasn’t ideal, they changed it.

Now that I am at the end of my year abroad I can say that it has been an extremely positive experience and a wonderful opportunity. I heard many people say that studying abroad was an incredible part of their time as an undergraduate. I definitely agree and hope that this is just my first experience abroad, not my only one. I am nervous to come back to California and sad to leave Lyon and my Lyonnais friends behind. However, I am beginning to feel ready for the next chapter, which perhaps shows that I have evolved as I haven’t felt prepared for that until recently!

Mary Jo Velasco (France, 2002-03)

I had known for a long time that I wanted to study abroad my junior year in college and that most likely I would spend that year in Europe. This is not too surprising, seeing as since an early age, I have had the enormous opportunity to delve into the customs, traditions and histories of different cultures. Raised in a bilingual/bicultural atmosphere, I have always been fascinated with discovering other languages and customs. It still astounds me to experience either personally, or vicariously, different ways of life from my own. It is then that the sense “everyone carries a personal universe of his/ her own” hits me the hardest. I realize now that even though I may not always be sure of different career decisions or of where I will be in a few years, my study abroad experience reinforced in me the sense that I will continue to evolve in different aspects of my life so long as I am open to truly share it with others. For it is in this open sharing that we discover the personal histories, the “universes,” of other people and forget to take our own for granted.

I am still living abroad today, and this, I believe, proves most persistently that my year abroad in Bordeaux, France left an indelible mark on my own personal history. I suppose I just loved French bread too much to want to leave! My year abroad was not only my first year so-away from home, it was a year when I developed friendships with wonderful people, passionate about my same interests to travel and experience different cultures. It was a year when I strengthened the confidence to adapt to a different system and flourish despite cultural and linguistic considerations. It was also a year when everyday life was a constant adventure and memorable experiences – like singing Mozart’s Requiem in a beautiful old church – seemed (and still do!) too good to be true.

Ultimately, I am very thankful for my year spent in Bordeaux, for it detailed a sketch of my life, my qualities, and my personal goals that I now continue eagerly to color.

Nicole Wu (France, 1999-00)

The EAP year abroad was the most rewarding part of my college experience. It was a great opportunity to immerse myself in a culture that I was always curious about. The French culture is a lot slower paced than New York… Living here, you sometimes get so involved in your day to day routines that you forget to sit and enjoy a nice meal or an espresso at a cafe. I feel that my time in France reminds me of that and now I make it a point (at least on weekends) to have friends over for a big dinner party with French wine (of course). I am always looking for French events in the city, movies or conversation round tables, where I can meet others with similar interests and practice my French.

I enjoyed the experience so much that I encouraged my little brother, Bruno, to go abroad as well. He is currently studying musical theatre in London (at least that’s what he tells us), and is absolutely loving it!

I still go to Brazil once a year to visit family and friends, and have already booked my flight this year for August. Since working in the Finance Department at Lehman Brothers I now have 3 weeks of vacation, instead of 2 (at my previous job), I get a little more time to travel to other places. In February, I went to Punta Cana, DR, with some friends. Although it was only for 4 days, we had a relaxing time in the sun! I am also hoping to go back to France next year for the Roland Garros Tennis Tournament. Hopefully, I will get to practice my French, revisit some of my favorite spots and reconnect with old friends.