---What were the deciding factors in choosing your study abroad program-location?---
I chose Strasbourg, France because I could pursue my interests in both my majors. With the homestay, I knew I would have to practice French on a daily basis and I could tailor my French course load depending on my level and interest. For my other major, Political Science, Strasbourg was a great choice because it hosts several European Institutions. The Syracuse Program started off with a ten day pre-semester trip which seemed like a great introduction to Europe and allowed me to get to know the other students on my program. The Syracuse Program also offered an internship course and I was very interested in getting international work experience because I would like to work abroad after gradation. I also spoke with a SCU student who had done this program and she had a very positive experience.
I chose the CIEE Dakar, Senegal program for several reasons. I wanted to continue to work on improving my French language abilities but in a new context and environment. I had wanted to go to West Africa for a long time, and I felt as though a study abroad program would provide the tools and support for this endeavor. CIEE Dakar was the only pre-approved French speaking program in Africa. This program included a homestay which I knew I wanted to continue to work on my French language skills and also to develop friendships with Senegalese people. This program also provided the option to do an internship which would allow me to explore career options with work involving non-profit organizations in Africa. I spoke with several students who had done this program and received positive feedback from all of them.
---What have you learned from your study abroad experiences that have contributed to your personal, vocational, or academic growth?---
From my experiences in France, I gained more confidence personally, academically, and vocationally. Vocationally, I gained work experience from a internship in which I taught beginning French to asylum seekers. This work experience greatly improved my sense of confidence because I never thought I would be able to teach beginning French to people who did not share the same native language! My internship developed my teaching abilities and gave me insight into the problems asylum seekers face. Academically, my French speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills improved greatly from daily conversations with my host mom and intensive language courses at the International Institute for French Studies. I took a course called Policy Seminar which challenged me to explore European politics and understand several European perspectives with guest lectures and field trips. Personally, the experience challenged me to adapt to a new culture and to express myself in a foreign language. I learned how to navigate on my own and be flexible under varying circumstances during my independent travels.
---What advises, recommendations would you give to prospective study abroad students? In retrospect, how would you prepare differently to maximize the study abroad experience?---
I would advise prospective students to really think about their priorities for their study abroad experience. Whether it is improving language skills, getting to know the people, taking classes pertaining to their major, or simply a means to travel and explore, students should think about their goals for studying abroad. The more research a student does, the more likely he or she will have a successful experience. I would also recommend talking to students who have done the programs to hear the positive aspects as well as the negative aspects to get the best idea of what is to come. In retrospect, I wish I had understood the three different language options I could chose from in the Syracuse Program, and I think I would have been prepared to do a direct exchange program. For Senegal, I would have liked to have known how much French is actually spoken and how much Wolof, the local language, I have needed to learn here. But overall, I think I did a good job researching programs and talking to students before embarking on this study abroad experience.
