Throughout my study abroad experience, I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel around France and see different cities and regions within the country. One of my favorite activities to do in the cities I visit has been to picture what my life would be like if I lived there full-time….

When I first began my study abroad program in France, the biggest challenge I faced was learning how to cope with my mistakes. Living in another culture and communicating in another language are experiences that naturally come with a lot of missteps and blunders. At first, I was also extremely embarrassed when one of these…

Before embarking on my study abroad journey, I could not have imagined all the different ways that this program would impact my life. Studying abroad is truly an experience like no other that has the ability to teach valuable lessons and transform perspectives. As I look back on my weeks abroad so far, there are…

Reflecting on my several weeks in Grenoble, I have noticed a significant shift in my expectations surrounding my study abroad experience. It has long been a dream of mine to study abroad, and with this has come a long series of hopes, expectations, and assumptions about what my experience would be like. Since arriving in…

Hello (and Bonjour!) again. It’s officially been a month since I arrived in France, and I can’t believe how fast time has blown by. Every day has held new experiences that I never would have expected before coming abroad. One of the most impactful experiences that I have had so far is living with my…

Hello again! It has been an absolutely crazy first two weeks settling into my new environment in Grenoble. From going out and visiting stunning a chateau in the region to now catching covid and being stuck in my room, I have basically had it all these past two weeks. The ups and downs I’ve experienced…

Hello and welcome to my study abroad blog! My name is Grace Gacki, and I am a sophomore in the Frederick Honors College studying French and Political Science. This semester, I will be traveling to Grenoble, France— a city in southeastern France located at the base of the Alps— to participate in an Intensive French…