My name is Ellie Veeningen, and this past month, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Strasbourg, France.
From the moment I started college, I knew I wanted to study abroad. Growing up, I remember listening to my mother’s stories about her time in Spain, Mexico, and England. I dreamed of having an adventure of my own—of immersing myself in a new place, culture, and way of life. I have often heard it said that studying abroad is one of the most transformative experiences a young adult can have. However, I didn’t fully understand the extent to which that was true until this summer.
Before this trip, I had never even heard of Strasbourg. Then, I spent nearly a month living there as a student this summer. Over the course of nearly a month, my classmates and I delved into the city’s rich history—from ancient Roman times and the era of the Franks to its role in modern-day France and the European Union. What started as a name on a map grew into a vibrant, complex, and deeply human place in my mind and heart.
There’s a word—sonder—that describes the realization that every passerby is living a life as vivid and intricate as your own. That concept took root in Strasbourg for me. In a city I had once known nothing about, I found a world full of life, meaning, and connection. In class, we learned that “What is most personal is most universal.” In this little European town, I learned that beyond the obvious differences of language, customs, and traditions, all humans share the same hopes, goals, and dreams. I saw just how much there is to learn, not only about others, but about myself.
I am profoundly grateful for my time in France. It gave me more than just academic knowledge or travel memories—it opened a window into another way of life and left me with a deeper understanding of the world and my place in it. This journey may have lasted only a few weeks, but the perspective it gave me will stay with me for a lifetime.
