Class Year: 2025 
Major/Minor: Computer Science major
Program: IAU Aix-en-Provence, France
Identities I can speak to students about:
LGBTQIA+; First generation college student; Mental health; Women abroad; English as a second language; International student experience, STEM major
Program specific experiences I can speak about:
Homestay
Favorite experience:
I took a painting class in Aix, and one of my favorite experiences was heading out into the field to paint landscapes. We had the opportunity to paint Mont Sainte-Victoire. The weather was perfect and the surrounding scenery was absolutely breathtaking, making the entire experience unforgettable!
What course/internship experience during your global study semester allowed you to learn something new and exciting?
I learned a lot from my museum class. As a STEM student, I always thought you needed to know about art or artists before visiting a museum. However, this class taught me that art is for everyone, and a piece of art should be able to communicate with you without words or explanations. The professor was also incredibly kind, and her passion for art really inspired me.
How have your global studies related to one of the 7 Enduring Skills?
My global studies in France really pushed me out of my comfort zone, both academically and in terms of social interactions. I’m Vietnamese and had already studied abroad in the US, where I had a large Vietnamese community to lean on. In France, however, I had no friends or familiar faces, which forced me to step out of my comfort zone and actively connect with new people and make friends.
Academically, after studying computer science for two and a half years, this was my first semester studying art. At first, it was overwhelming, and I experienced imposter syndrome, feeling like I didn’t belong. But I pushed myself to keep up, participate in seminars, and take my professor’s advice to heart. I gained a lot of insight and am really glad I went out of my way to try something completely new.