In June 2023, I ventured on a month-long trip to Angers, France. Come along with me as I recount my experience in the city of Angers.
In the weeks leading up to my study abroad, I was afraid. I was afraid that I didn't know enough French to figure out the transportation system, afraid that since I didn't know anyone attending before the trip it would be hard for me to make friends. This was my first solo- trip and it was the furthest trip I had taken to date. Upon arrival at the Charles de Gaul airport, I certainly was correct about not knowing enough French to communicate, but through pointing and following the signs I found where I was able to go. I had never taken a train let alone navigated a train station, but with the help of my cell phone, I was able to get down at the correct stop that would soon show me a different world. My first point of struggle was communicating with my host family. She tried her best but spoke no English. Luckily enough for me, my roommate was more proficient in the language than I was which allowed us to better communicate. The 14-hour trip was a tough one which led me to shower and go to bed to brace the experience at a later time. Our host family consisted of a vivacious grandmother who spoke to us about her family and the French culture at every dinner was the one who facilitated my transition to the foreign land the most because she made me feel like family, which was only an extension of how much she loved hers. I took a walk to the local sculpture museum called Galerie David d'Angers on a weekend upon arriving to the home I showed her what I had drawn that day which she followed with a fond memory of her daughter who also loved art.
The second and toughest battle to overcome was the language. I was there to study the language, but every class was in French including the beginner's courses. At first, it was difficult to understand a word they said because the professors spoke only in French at all times. After taking French 1 at FIU I was placed in an A2.5 course which meant I knew some things but was still a beginner. At school, I was able to meet a community of people who were going through what I was and facilitated my learning as I was able to practice with them and ask them questions I would have not been confident enough to ask a professor. At the start to the summer semester, it was tough to communicate, but with time I was able to adopt a few words into my daily language. I began venturing out to shops on my own and asking the workers for items like more colors of fanny packs or if they had face brushes and was understood for the most part. My biggest accomplishments with the language were understanding what places I could get into for free because of my age like the sculpture museum and communicating with my host family. I was also able to enjoy most of the trip to Normandy and the history being presented.
To overcome all the obstacles that present when exploring a new culture, the connections I made when I was in France helped me become situated. Having my classmates help me when I wasn't so sure about what to say to someone or just having people there to take a break from the language for the afternoon was necessary to acclimating. It helped me find the confidence to leave the host home and explore Angers. Since we were at different levels, some would finish their culture lesson and teach it to us. It became more of a support system in a new place which made it all the more exiting.
All in all, the French culture is very different from ours, from their extensive coffee breaks to the walkable communities it was a unique experience to live and explore the culture firsthand. I encourage all of those with the ability to travel abroad to do so. The most important part is to make connections along the way, these connections will help you in your journey whatever it may be.
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