The Flight Over
I got on my flight to Frankfurt Germany at about 3 PM central time on May 24th. This would be my first trip to Europe, and my first leaving of the country without my family. I was excited but also incredibly anxious for how I would be with a group of people I had only met several times before, in a foreign country, taking 2 classes. Over the course of the Lufthansa flight, my opinion started to change. Once I understood there was no going back, my anxiety disappeared. I enjoyed the food provided by the airline, studied class material, and tried to get some sleep (I was unable to, but I highly recommend). We landed in Frankfurt 10 hours later at 8:15 AM, and traveled 2 hours by bus into Strasbourg, France.
The City
My first day in Strasbourg was incredible. The city is lively and full of beautiful architecture; what you would expect out of a picture book of France. My first real meal in France was with the entire study abroad program and our professor, and it was delicious. The food in France is different: it is much fresher, many times cheaper, and a lot more flavorful. Even dishes like hamburgers can vary greatly from restaurant to restaurant, even if they are separated by only a couple blocks. Transportation is also very different from the United States. A sizable tram and bus network connects the majority of Strasbourg, which is largely centered around a beautiful cathedral nearly a thousand years old. Around the cathedral and throughout the city are a plethora of bakeries and cafes that readily serve pastries like croissants, which have had a special impact on me. I am allergic to gluten, and the United States uses wheat that is particularly high in it. This is not the case in Europe, where they use wheat with lower amounts of gluten. This means I am able to enjoy foods like pasta, croissants, cake, and more. While I still consume in moderation, this has been an amazing experience for me made available by A&M’s program. While many of the city’s inhabitants speak English, the majority do not, and are still friendly and amicable. Grocery stores littered throughout the city and close to our hotel make it possible to eat well and healthy without spending a fortune.
The Program
So far, we have been to EM Strasbourg 4 days. The business school is reminiscent of a Texas high school — several stories, decently sized hallways, and friendly students. My classes have been challenging so far, but manageable and allow me to make the most of my time in Strasbourg and France. My group of classmates is incredibly tightknit, even after just the first week. Dr. Rossi is a great professor and funny lecturer. I hope to retain the knowledge he teaches me, and what I have learned in my European Integration class, and use it both as I travel around Europe on the weekends and for the rest of my life. I am very happy that I selected this program, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in it or others like it.
