Christy Joshy

My time studying abroad in Strasbourg, France, has been one of the most formative experiences of my life. As it was my first time in Europe, I had no idea what to expect or how to navigate an unfamiliar culture. However, navigating uncertainty allowed me to build more confidence in myself through the obstacles — whether it was while traveling, gathering the courage to speak French despite my intermediate level, or building connections outside the SU Strasbourg Villa. One of the many things I will miss about Strasbourg (and much of Europe in general) is the amazing public transport, which made exploring the city so much easier and accessible. My favorite part of my abroad experience overall was solo traveling in Portugal for spring break, where I was able to wind down under clearer, warmer skies, enjoy good food, and make new friends in the hostels I stayed at.

One thing that pleasantly surprised me about this experience was how much more involved and passionate Europeans, but particularly French people, are about the arts and culture. During my time in Strasbourg, I attended the opera for the first time and even took a French folk-dancing class with my host mom! Following this experience, I would like to continue learning French and hopefully reach fluency one day.

Receiving this academic enhancement award from Honors helped me immerse myself more fully in this experience, without the overwhelming concern about financial constraints. It allowed me to get more benefit and enjoyment out of my time here, and I am very grateful for the support! As an international relations and supply chain management major (but really any major), it’s important to have an international perspective and context, especially in an increasingly globalized world. This experience helped broaden my perspective and break out of the American-centric mindset many Americans unknowingly fall into.