Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away

This semester, I studied abroad at the Institut d’Études Politiques de Rennes, also known as Sciences Po Rennes. So far, I have continued my studies of International Relations with challenging and engaging classes, met new friends from both France and around the world, and had a unique opportunity to improve my language skills as a French and International Relations double major at Lake Forest College. Through having classes with French students and joining various student-led organizations like the debate club and Model UN, I was able to both improve my conversational French and learn the skills necessary to give formal speeches and debates, make lifelong connections, and engage directly with French culture on a level that I would not have without this amazing opportunity to study abroad through the GEO at Lake Forest. I was also given the privilege of being able to travel around France and other countries in Europe, gaining both new cultural perspectives and insight into new places and people. So far, my favorite place that I have visited in France has been the cliffs on the English Channel to the north and east of the village of Cancale, in Brittany (Bretagne). My friends and I did a 14 km hike around the coast, where I was able to bear witness to some of the most stunning natural beauty that I have ever seen, even as someone who has hiked in multiple national parks in the U.S.

            Sometimes, adjusting to a local culture takes time and can be challenging, but with the right people, it can even be fun. Discovering local customs, cultural norms and routines are intrinsically linked to the French language, so by integrating successfully into French society through learning these norms and customs, my French has improved tremendously. I now have much more confidence in my abilities to speak, make new friends, leave my comfort zone and challenge myself linguistically. With this wonderful experience in France, I was able to both fall in love with the culture and gain more motivation to both continue my studies and improve my competency in the French language.

Connor hiking in Cancale