Lauren Ellis -
Angers, France
Lauren Ellis, a triple major of elementary education, special education, and French, spent a semester in France at the Universite d’Angers. She told us, “For the first three weeks I did an intensive language course and lived with a French family. Every weekend I would pack my backpack, jump on a train, and travel to a new country. I never really had an agenda or knew what I was going to experience – I just grabbed a map once I got to my destination and explored the area.
Being abroad gave me such a greater global perspective. I had been abroad when the war in Iraq had broken out and Europe , and more specifically, France , was up in arms. Generally speaking people were extremely responsible and truly tried to see my point of view. My global perspective was also increased because of the people that I became friends with. All of the students who lived in my hall were from the North African countries of Tunisia , Algeria , and Morocco . We would always compare and contrast our lifestyles, belief systems, and interests. Those experiences, combined with my weekend adventures helped me to really analyze who I was, what I believed and what I wanted.” Lauren tells potential study abroad students to “get out of your comfort zone and take chances – create your own adventures!” |
