By Nick K.

Published Feb. 10, 2025

When arriving in Paris, France, there were many emotions running through my mind. I was excited for the next four months of my academic career to play out overseas, but I was also nervous and intimidated by the differences I might encounter. I knew that my life abroad would look vastly different from back in…

By Indeeera G.

Published Feb. 3, 2025

My first month after moving to the foreign city of Lyon, France halfway across the world has been one of growth, chaos and adjustment. As a daughter of a single immigrant mother, we didn’t have the time to go on vacation. The first time I’d ever packed a suitcase myself was the week I prepared…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…