top of page

My portfolio is an assessment and reflection of my intercultural experiences throughout my time as a student at the University of Portland. Here I highlight my semester abroad in Nantes, France in the IES French Language Immersion & Area Studies Program.

STUDYING ABROAD

My portfolio is an assessment and reflection of my intercultural experiences throughout my time as a student at the University of Portland. Here I highlight my semester abroad in Nantes, France in the IES French Language Immersion & Area Studies Program.

People

Nantes was the source of so many intercultural experiences for me, but my host family most defined my time there. We would go on trips, do different activities, and have conversations where I learned about their life experiences, interests, and beliefs.  They made me feel like family, and I cherish the connection I made and maintain with them. I especially liked having movie nights and cooking together. A particular memory was when I made an Ethiopian dish called firfir and kinche, and they tried it. It was a spicy dish, and they were not a big fan of spicy food, but I appreciated their interest in it and their openness to trying something new.

Many memories with them have stuck with me, from attending a spectacular event called Puy du Fou, to the play dates with the grandkids, to making tiramisu. Another memory was when the grand kids would sleep over, the youngest always came to watch me do my nighttime routine because she wanted braces, and would ask me questions about the retainers I wear. My relationship with my host family created a deeper, more personal connection with the city and the country as a whole. 

IMG_3232 (1).JPG

My host family parents: Béa and Michel

IMG_7175%20(6)_edited.jpg

My host family grandkids: Louise and Emma

louisenote.jpg

Goodbye note from Louise

Places

Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in Les Epesses, France. It is filled with spectacles based on different events in French history, and I was lucky enough to attend with my host family. Each spectacle was extremely breathtaking and grand, yet very realistic and believable. There were some that I knew of from the history course I was taking, and some that I did not. It was interesting to see these events come to life through visual arts and theatre, and to learn about new ones as well.

puydufou.jpg

Throughout my time abroad I was lucky enough to travel to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, the UK, and Germany. Coming to France was already my first time traveling and living alone, but the experience of traveling to multiple countries both independently and with other people caused me to lean on my own knowledge, skills, and intuition in ways I have not in America. Traveling also allowed me to see many different types of people, which was a humbling experience. Recognizing the plethora of traditions, languages, and cultures I knew nothing of but was honored to take part in, even for a short while, reminded me of how beautiful and vast the world is and how little I really knew of it.

A montage of my winter break abroad:

bottom of page