Moving half-way across the world should be a piece of cake right? Well, it?s a little more complicated than that. Howdy, my name is Ashley Jones I am a Junior Marketing major at Mays and I?m currently participating in the BEM academic year-long exchange with EM-Strasbourg Business school in Strasbourg France.
?You?re studying abroad for a whole year?! Like, two semesters?!??
That was probably the most common response I got when I told people I was going abroad. The concept of an academic year-long exchange seems daunting (because who would dare miss an Aggie football season) but it?s already proved to be such a blessing. There?s so much work and preparation that goes into a long-term exchange, both physical and mental. There?s countless stacks of paperwork required to get here, and even more, once you arrive; The class schedules are different and confusing to get used to, and on top of it all, everyone around you speaks a different language. Culture shock is a real thing and can take its toll if you aren?t ready for it. The fact that I moved to France for a year, knowing absolutely no french, was probably a crazy idea on my part. This doesn?t sound like a transition that anyone would willingly walk into, but the reward is so worth it. Even though it’s only been a month, I feel like I’ve lived here for so much longer because this beautiful and welcoming city has become so familiar.
Classes still haven?t officially started (so I’ve basically had the longest summer break ever but I?m not upset about it), and yet I’ve learned so much already. I was able to meet people through the orientation process that have instantly become some of the greatest friends. Through simple conversations about our lives at home compared to life here, I?ve been exposed to alternative mindsets based on cultural upbringing that has influenced my perspective on societal differences. All these people coming from different places and families have now been put in one melting pot together, and just talking about how different life is for them has taught me that there is more out there than what we think we know. My cultural mindset has already been expanded to be a broader mindset, and that alone has been one of the best lessons study abroad could teach me.
Europe has such a different way of life. It?s been much more laid back than what I?m used to in The States, but it?s been a healthy adjustment for me. Learning to be more ?go with the flow? and having comfort in a flexible schedule is an important trait to bring into any future career. Whether it?s traveling across country borders or figuring out the local public transportation, Europe has already been such a positive influence by broadening what I knew to be normal. I hope that with continued exposure to this way of life, I can bring that new appreciation back to my American everyday life.
Strasbourg is a beautiful picturesque city that I am so blessed to live in. France is a wonderful country full of so much history and culture that I fall more in love with it every day. When I first started college I was encouraged by a peer to make time to step back and reflect on life every now and then, and I?m so glad they taught me how to do so. No matter where you reside, personal reflection is the best way to accomplish intentional growth. While I am abroad in this amazing place, I hope to continue reflecting on all of these experiences so that I can continue to grow into the best version of myself.
If I?ve already learned this much in a month, I can?t wait to see what the rest of the year holds.
