Name: Grace Wong
Class year: 2021
Hometown: Palmyra, PA
Global Study Semester: Fall 2019
Program: IES Paris, France
Major/Minor: French
Activities on Campus: APO
My Story from Global Study: Before leaving for France, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I was excited for all the experiences that I would have, but I was fearful of being on my own in a foreign country without my support system. Traveling abroad alone was a big step out of my comfort zone for me. Also, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to navigate my way around the city even though my French language skills were intermediate/advanced. However, as the semester went on, I realized that the fears I had before didn’t have a hold on me anymore and I felt a little silly for having them in the first place. I was able to make friends, navigate through the city with ease, and converse with others in French. Additionally, sometimes I translated for my housemate and our host whenever they did not understand what the other was saying. Studying abroad gave me a new appreciation for what I learned in my French classes and more confidence in my knowledge and abilities of the French language.
My Advice for Future Students: Don’t be afraid to try new things and to step out of your comfort zone.