Post Departure from Cluny, France

After just a few days of settling into France, the most romantic country in the world, I quickly fell in love and didn’t want to leave…Two weeks just didn’t feel like enough. Looking back, this has been an incredible learning experience. I got out of my comfort zone, overcame challenges, met some great people, learned how to speak some French, and tried foods that I never thought I would’ve. It was really interesting that we got to talk with wine and cheese experts, explore medieval buildings, and experience French culture firsthand. It’s hard to say what my favorite part was because I loved everything, but, I think that as a microbiologist, visiting Louis Pasteur’s home and laboratory was special to me, and again, I never thought that I would have the chance to do that. After this trip, I now have a lot of respect and appreciation for France, and may even want to finish learning how to speak French.

              For anyone considering studying abroad, I would strongly encourage you to do it! I was hesitant due to my schedule and financial reasons, but this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It was 100% worth all of the effort, I promise. There are also a ton of scholarship opportunities available. For those who are like me and are graduating soon, studying abroad is an opportunity that you probably won’t ever have again, so don’t be afraid to try something new! There are a lot of benefits that can come from having this experience.

Lastly, I would like to thank SEBS Office of Global Engagement again for their support and for giving me this opportunity to share my experience. I would also like to thank Dr. Haggblom and Dr. Healey for being such excellent professors.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my adventures in France as much as I enjoyed writing about them. Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!