Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Lucile: I did study abroad programs in Paris and Strasbourg and London. In Paris and London I did summer programs but spent an entire academic year in Strasbourg. I had always wanted to go abroad, owing in part to the fact that I traveled with my mom to France when she was doing graduate work when I was little and I really enjoyed that.
In addition, most of my family had lived abroad before so it seemed natural to me. Especially as a French major, I knew that I wanted to live in France for at least a short period of time.
Which study abroad destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?
Lucile: The most overrated place is probably London, it is expensive and not all that different from the United States. However, the most underrated is China. China is underrated because it has such a rich culture and it is much more modern than people might think.
China still feels very foreign to people and they don’t want to have that experience, they don’t want to push themselves with learning a different language and culture and to adapt. Nevertheless, China has a lot to offer its students, and its much less expensive than some of the other destinations.
What country have you always wanted to visit?
Lucile: I have always wanted to visit India or the countries of West Africa. Specifically in West Africa, I want to go to Senegal because I am interested in culture there. The Senegalese culture and French colonialism in that country is something that I would like to study along with art and culture. I would also love to travel to India because I know how beautiful it is and want to experience that rich culture especially because I love Indian food and Yoga.
What is the best story you've heard from a returning student?
Lucile: One of my friends received a scholarship from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and I helped him with the application process. He was the first to go abroad in his family and he had never considered going abroad until then but after spending six weeks in London he had a really life changing experience that really inspired him to continue to study and go to study abroad again or even potentially live abroad in the future.
Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?
Lucile: You will only understand a person’s culture so much without understanding their language. There are so many nuances that cannot be translated that come out through a culture’s primary language.
Also, mentally, having a second language, you think about things differently and in more complex ways. More broadly, cultural immersion forces you to learn in a different lens and redefine yourself but also affirms who you are and prepares you to adapt to challenges in life.