When I was in kindergarten, I learned my numbers and how to sing the alphabet. In second grade, I learned the colors of the rainbow, rudimentary greetings and farewells, and how to tell my parents “I love you!” In fourth grade, I was able to distinguish between informal and formal grammar usage and to sing nursery rhymes…
In French.
The small Presbyterian elementary and middle school I attended in New York was different than most—the second language we were taught wasn’t Spanish, it was French. I studied the French language through junior high and high school, and even took one more advanced French class in my first year at Lehigh. I’ve always loved not only the intrinsic beauty of the French language but also its structure. The rich, aspirational culture of France is also a big plus!
When the time came during my sophomore year at Lehigh to confront the question that was on the tip of all of my friends’ tongues, “Where are you going to study abroad?” I knew my answer without a moment's hesitation: Paris!
I was/am in love with all of it… The Palace of Versailles, the Catacombs, the Musée d’Orsay, medieval castles and dungeons, iconic limestone and black wrought iron architecture. Not to be forgotten: French BREAD—baguettes, croissants, pastries!
However, these bite-sized headlines of the French capital can only go so far. As a young woman who frequently walked to and from class, dinner, and nightlife plans on her own or in the company of female friends, I had geared up to feel unsafe or on guard at all times. On the tidy and broad boulevards of Paris, I can confidently say looking back, I never felt unsafe or ill at ease. As a native New Yorker, this was significant to me.
Of course, it would be misrepresentative of my time in Paris to not mention the consistent string of inconveniences I—and fellow American students in Paris in the Spring semester of 2023 faced. The recurring labor strikes, or grèves, resulted from French President Emmanuel Macron’s increase of the nationwide retirement age from 62 to 64. As part of his plan to overhaul pre-existing pension laws, this directly impacted many labor unions and civil servants, including transportation workers.
The Paris Métro, typically a well-oiled machine, faced massive disturbances, cancellations and delays. This, in particular, impacted my day-to-day life, as the Métro was my way to school every day. Air traffic control also participated in the strikes, bringing constant anxiety to my peers and me, and leaving us wondering if our flights to Barcelona, Prague, or London for weekend getaways would even see lift-off.
I would recommend studying abroad to anyone who truly wants to see what’s out there. Returning to America, my hometown, and even Lehigh, I have fostered completely new perspectives because of my experience living in France. The time away from home and loved ones is a persistent challenge, but I promise the rewards are so worth it.
I am so lucky to attend a university that values expanding and exploring a student’s college experience. Studying abroad, Lehigh Launch, Division I Athletics, Greek Life, clubs, and so much more await those eager to explore.