An Education Abroad at the University of Strasbourg, France

Written by Michael McClain-Svec

Studying abroad in Strasbourg has been one of the most impactful growing experiences I have ever had. I arrived on September 1st and quickly found a residence and scheduled my courses. Through classes and student and university sponsored events, I made countless new friends from all over the world. Studying abroad is not only a great life experience but also a growing experience.

Personally, I obtained several skills, interests, and characteristics that will not only further my career success, but also make me a more knowledgeable, competent, and understanding person. Leaving your comfort zone by living in a foreign environment and being open minded are catalysts for self-discovery. It enables your mind to think in different ways. One finds hidden interests and skills that would never have been discovered before. One of the skills I strengthened was self-reliance. Strasbourg is thousands of miles away from my home, family, car, bank and university. Although my new friends did help me with recommendations and suggestions for phone plans and European travel websites, most tactical and strategic decisions were self-made. I had to learn to properly budget my monthly expenses, find my own way of transportation for daily and long distance travel, make good decisions under stress, and manage my time to maintain good grades while getting the most of being in Europe. I also learned patience (credit is given to the French) and became more culturally aware.

Academically I gained an understanding of the structure and functions of the European Union, increased my communication, presentation, and leadership skills, and developed cultural competencies. Understanding the function and structure of the European Union is very important because it holds 25% of global GDP and is an important trading partner of the U.S. My skills were mostly improved through case studies delivered by a group of exchange students and myself. Arranging 5-6 exchange students for a meeting to prepare a presentation has many challenges because everyone wants to travel and at different times. Secondly, I overcame the language barriers while formatting slides for the presentation. Lastly, while delivering the presentation, I had to speak articulately and loud so even the students who barely spoke English sitting in the back of the amphitheater could understand me. Finally, I developed cultural competencies to gain the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from other cultures.

Aside from classes, my friends and I embarked on adventures throughout Eastern Europe including Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Munich, and Cologne. I saw beautiful monuments, architecture, cathedrals, castles, and palaces. I experienced numerous different cultures each with their own unique food, traditions, beliefs, and norms.

In conclusion, studying abroad has many benefits, such as an unforgettable life experience, a very important personal experience, and a unique and enriching academic experience. In today’s competitive and global society it is beneficial for students to take the opportunity and further their studies by going abroad.