Xavier student recalls study abroad experience in France
Nov 16, 2021
Studying abroad is an exciting, often once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, available to students at Xavier University. Although Xavier’s study abroad program had paused briefly due to the worldwide impact of COVID-19, students were able to safely resume opportunities abroad last spring.
A handful of students in the College of Arts and Sciences traveled to Europe and spent the semester either in France or Ireland. Despite the limitations to their experiences because of COVID, students still made the most of their time.
Madi Crickmer, now a senior, spent the spring semester of her junior year studying in Lyon, France. Madi, who will be graduating with a double major in French and International Studies, shares her experience below.
I had the opportunity to study abroad in Lyon, France, during the 2021 spring semester. I would describe my time abroad as unique since I wasn’t able to have as much travel freedom as I thought I would due to COVID restrictions. Even with the restrictions on city activities and a curfew, I still had one of the most incredible times in Lyon and I wouldn’t have changed a thing about my time spent there. I was able to make great friends, improve my French skills, and explore exciting opportunities.
My classes were in the afternoon and I had no classes on Wednesday. I always enjoyed going to my classes since my professors worked hard to make sure we all had fun learning French. My confidence in my abilities definitely increased after my time there. In the beginning, I was a little nervous about being able to communicate. Even if my grammar or vocabulary wasn’t perfect, people were always very kind and happy that I was trying. I also was able to learn more than just French culture, as the other students in my class were from all around the world. After class on nice days, we would all walk to a store to buy drinks and then sit by the river and practice our French until it was nearly curfew. We would also take turns going to everyone’s residence for dinner on weekends.
Another experience I enjoyed was being able to travel around France with friends and on my own. In the beginning of my study abroad, before the French Government put a travel restriction into place, we had a break from school and the other Americans in my group and I decided to travel. We took a train to Marseille and stayed there for a few days. It was great being able to explore outside of the city I was doing my study abroad in, especially with friends. We also were able to take a bus for a day trip to Cassis where we swam in the ocean and went on a beautiful hike. Towards the end of May and around the time my classes ended, France lifted its travel restrictions which gave me the opportunity to see more of France before I returned home. I had never traveled solo before, let alone in a foreign country, so this was a new experience for me. I felt confident enough in my French skills and was able to travel all over France with no issue. I loved the feeling I would get when I was able to understand an announcement made in the train station, ordering at a restaurant, or just having conversations with people. I loved being able to travel, but I am thankful that for most of my time abroad I couldn’t leave Lyon. Spending my weekends and free time there helped the city feel more like home and I grew to love it even more with each passing day.
Even with the COVID restrictions, I still did my best to make the most out of my time in Lyon. I was able to make friendships and have experiences that I could have never had in the United States. From walking to a park to reading my favorite book to visiting the markets on the weekend for grocery shopping with my friends, I had an incredible time. I think about my time spent there and the friends I made nearly every day. I saw a growth in my language skills and my own confidence.
Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I could have ever made. I’m so glad I was able to go.