I have absolutely loved my time in France so far! We left on Sunday, and to my surprise, the pilot of our plane was a close family friend whom I will actually be traveling with after my study abroad ends. It was such a special moment, he gave us a shout out over the intercom at the start of the flight, and we all whooped! After we landed, he even invited me into the cockpit, where I got to imagine myself as the pilot. It was a surreal and memorable way to begin this adventure.
Our first full day in Strasbourg was amazing. We had class during the day, then ended with a group dinner featuring traditional French cuisine. We tried Tarte Flambée, a flatbread-style dish topped with sour cream and meat, and profiteroles, which are pastry puffs filled with ice cream and topped with chocolate. The restaurant was located near the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, and seeing it lit up at night felt absolutely magical.
One of the biggest cultural differences I’ve noticed is how little people rely on cars here. Public transportation is a big part of daily life. While I was not the best with it at first, I’m already starting to feel more confident navigating the tram system. Strasbourg is also a major biking city, so I’ve been learning to stay alert and give bikers their space on the roads and sidewalks.
I love hearing the French accents everywhere and using what I’ve learned to communicate, especially when ordering food or asking for directions. It’s been a fun challenge and a great way to immerse myself more deeply in the culture.
Overall, this first week has been full of discovery, learning, and memorable experiences. Strasbourg is a beautiful city, rich in history and tradition, and I’m so excited for everything that’s still to come on my study abroad journey!
Bonjour,
Macie Parker
