My French host mom and la bête à bon Dieu
By Lorinn W.
Published July 6, 2024
I spent my program in Antibes, a beautiful little city in the French Riviera, not even 20 miles from Nice. I lived here with a host mom, Nicole, and her dog, Paco. She was incredibly welcoming and made her house my home for the month I was staying with her. She spoke no English, so…
Pâques en France
By Eli B.
Published May 15, 2024
I decided to stay in Nantes, France for this Easter weekend. I had asked my host family about two months ago if I could join them for Easter weekend and they happily obliged. To thank them, I ending making a gâteau nantais for the day of celebration (a traditional recipe of the region). I also…
Discovering a Nantais life
By Eli B.
Published March 6, 2024
It’s been about a month since I wrote my last blog and things are going so well here in Nantes! First I want to talk about how much I have learned about the history of Nantes. There is an insanely rich history in this city and I’m so glad that so many of my professors…
A warm welcome to Nantes
By Eli B.
Published Feb. 6, 2024
After a lots of delays and difficulties arriving in France I finally am here! I am spending four months in the city of Nantes doing a language immersion program through IES Abroad. These past three weeks everything has been absolutely amazing! First off, while I knew what my host family looked like before I arrived…
April Blog
By Jordan M.
Published July 7, 2023
I think a super important topic to discuss before studying abroad is budget. This can be a weekly, monthly or even a categorical budget. There are several initial costs to think of as well as everyday living costs you would normally have to consider at your home university. First Easter Break…
The art of existing alone
By Maddie R.
Published April 3, 2023
One thing that comes with studying abroad is the inevitability of being alone, probably more often than you ever have been in your life. At this point in my semester, I have spent time in three countries alone: Italy (obvs), France and Switzerland — in that order. And I can say that every time I…
Halfway there: My experience in Stockholm and beyond
By Jane M.
Published March 31, 2023
Hej från Stockholm! The last month has been packed with lots of fun exploratory experiences with my host family and friends. I’ve made friends here who are also staying with host families, so visiting and hearing their stories has let me see a broader view of culture in Stockholm. It’s been so nice to make…
Traveling while traveling
By Maddie R.
Published March 15, 2023
This month, I had my school’s spring break — early, I know! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit Nice, France; Madrid, Spain; Sevilla, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal…in nine days. That breaks down to about two or three days in each location since I only spent about 12–15 hours in Madrid. National…
Studying in Europe
By Isaac Y.
Published July 19, 2022
I spent this summer studying in Lyon, France, at the Catholic University of Lyon. Through the MU School of Language, Literature and Culture, I studied language and gastronomy with the French department. During my time here, I've learned lifelong lessons about traveling abroad and being a world citizen. A few of…
A girl and her backpack take on France!
By Anna H.
Published April 25, 2022
Spring break looks a little different for everyone, including me! I think spring break is the best time to try new coffee shops, walk around different parks and take lots of springtime photos with friends. This semester, I get to study at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. It is a unique school,…