“Studying abroad in Aix was my first time ever leaving the United States, and while the culture shock was real, I’m so glad I experienced it. To adjust, I spent a lot of time in the city to immerse myself in daily life, which helped me appreciate the rhythms of French culture. One of my favorite memories was celebrating the Fête de la Musique—it was a surreal experience I’ll never forget.
Living in France made me realize how different French and American cultures are, and it also sparked my desire to return after undergrad. I learned that I can teach English to French students for a year, and now I hope to take a gap year and move back to France to continue building on this experience.
As a first-generation student, the opportunity to live abroad felt even more surreal—something I never thought I would be able to do. The First-Gen Education Abroad Scholarship made it possible for me to study in France, and I will always be grateful for the chance it gave me to embrace this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
