Bonjour to Growth! – Ravyn Woodson

Now that my time in Strasbourg has come to an end, it honestly feels surreal to think about everything I’ve experienced in just a few weeks. Before coming here, I wrote about how I wanted to grow academically and personally, and now I can say—with a mix of gratitude and disbelief—that this trip has done exactly that, and more.
Taking business law and international business in France gave me a completely different view of how education works outside the U.S. The classes were more lecture-heavy, and it took me a while to get used to the new studying habits I had to adopt to digest all of the material. At first, I felt a little out of place, but eventually I met new people who included me in their journey in navigating a new environment together; it helped me become less anxious.
Outside the classroom is where I think I learned the most. From navigating language barriers to understanding cultural norms, every day was a chance to stretch myself. I had to become more observant, more patient, and honestly more comfortable with being uncomfortable. I started noticing how people approached conversations, time, even eye contact differently. And when it came to things like identity, race, and nationality, I definitely had moments that challenged me—but those were the moments that helped me grow the most.
What surprised me was how much this trip helped me get to know myself. Being far from home made me more confident and independent, and it showed me how much I still have to learn—about the world and about who I want to be. I came here hoping to build cultural intelligence and global perspective, and I’m leaving with that—but also with new friends, memories I’ll never forget, and a clearer idea of the kind of person and leader I want to become. I am glad I embarked upon this journey and encourage anyone considering studying abroad to take the opportunity to do so!