Study Abroad

Introduction

In the spring of 2026, I spent a semester abroad in Montpellier, France, through the University of Minnesota’s Language & Culture in Southern France program. Over 5 months, I studied, worked, and lived, fully immersed in French society as a student. This time abroad was challenging, growth-inducing, enriching, and life-changing in every possible way, leaving a profound impact on me. Since I studied abroad through a third-party program, I was the only student from Clemson in my program cohort. Therefore, I went into this experience not knowing anyone and entering an entirely new environment where the culture and language are completely different from the society in which I live in Clemson. Before I left for my time abroad, I was hesitant and nervous, which made me doubt whether I really wanted to go. However, now looking back on this experience, I would repeat my time in Montpellier without hesitation.

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Academic Enrichment

Before going abroad, my academic aim was to improve my French language competency through the courses I was taking. Through the University of Minnesota program, I had a staff mentor who guided me through what my academic experience would look like in Montpellier. I knew I wanted to learn and grow through my courses and internship experience. Though my learning goals were concrete and academic at this time, my perspective on learning would soon change. After my time abroad, I realized that the concept of learning is grand and diverse in many ways, and that to truly understand the French language, one must observe and listen to the mundane in the daily practices of French speakers. My academic experience was genuinely enriching beyond the content of my courses, through observing everyday conversations among French students and how French speakers use their native tongue to express their thoughts, feelings, and personalities authentically.

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Learning Culture

In addition to learning about the complex nature of French grammar, phonetics, and history, I learned a lot through the culture of my learning environment. I had the opportunity to take classes through L’Université de Montpellier Paul-Valéry, immersing myself in the French academic system alongside French students. I adapted to a different academic system and took classes taught by professors who grew up in France, like my Civilization of the South professor, who grew up in Sète, and took our class of 13 to sites such as Aigues-Mortes, and different neighborhoods around Montpellier to enrich our minds with not just history, but the culture that actively surrounded us. Overall, the passion my professors had for their profession and dedication to our growth and development as students deeply marked my academic experience in Montpellier.

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Cultural Adaptation and Appreciation

The culture and society I lived in expanded my perspective on what it means to slow down and enjoy simple moments. One of the things I learned to love about French culture is that it is not a hurried culture. In Montpellier, you will see someone biking to work at a steady pace after enjoying a two-hour lunch on the terrace of a restaurant, compared to seeing a car drive 10 miles over the speed limit while simultaneously trying to fit in breakfast before the morning escapes. This was one of the biggest differences I observed while living in France, which was vastly different from the environment I was used to in the United States. The concept of taking longer lunch breaks and adopting a legally mandated 35-hour workweek emphasizes this dynamic. The French highly value making dining an experience rather than something to be rushed and brushed aside, and dinner starts anywhere from 8:00-10:00 pm, rather than 5:00-8:00 pm in the United States. They compensate for the late start with a goûter around 4:00 pm. I found this to be a special aspect of French culture that I grew to deeply enjoy and strive to integrate into my life in the United States.

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Community Impact

Upon departing for abroad, I was nervous about the community I would find in Montpellier (or rather, the fear of lacking it), because I knew I was leaving behind a very rich community in Clemson. However, in Montpellier, I quickly discovered that community is everywhere, like going to the same boulangerie every morning on the way to class and talking with the family that owns it. This community is also attending a French church and going to the homes of local families for dinner.

In addition to the community I found in the Montpellier area, I also formed a deep community with my peers in the program. With these peers, I had deeply memorable experiences, such as traveling across France and into other countries. These trips showed me a wide range of cultures across Europe and Morocco. These trips allowed me to see more of the world and meet people from other cultures, like Adnan in Morocco and Mike in Malta. My time abroad did come with challenges, such as homesickness, navigating new public transportation and having to cancel a debit card on a whim. These challenges were easier to overcome with my support system at home and my new support system in France.

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Personal Reflections

My experiences abroad enabled me to think deeply about myself and the contribution I can make to society. I realized that people can learn from me as much as I can learn from them, which is the beauty of cultural exchange. For example, the church I attended in Montpellier was very diverse, with people from France, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, and more, and I specifically think of my friend, Darina, who is French and Brazilian. When we met for coffee or lunch, she was so curious about my life at home that she even helped improve my French, as we mostly spoke in French. Overall, my experience abroad strengthened my confidence and made me realize I am capable of very difficult things. I was pushed out of my comfort zone in every way in Montpellier, which pushed me to speak with as much confidence and willingness to learn as possible, and not to be afraid of making mistakes. My French has improved significantly, and I have a stronger desire and motivation to seek new experiences and continue pursuing growth by facing the uncomfortable.