Vin Chaud & Reindeer

Author: Avery Besson | Major: International Business Finance | Semester: Fall 2022

For my fourth and final blog, I will briefly recap my first post. I’m attending the American Business School of Paris this Fall semester through the International Studies Abroad (ISA) Program. Pursuing a degree in International Business with a concentration in Finance requires a foreign language and a study abroad requirement. I have been learning French from a young age, so I chose it as my language and decided to study in Paris, France. I selected the American Business School of Paris because it is part of Institut de Gestion Social, a non-profit higher education institution composed of 14 schools. This institution has allowed me to meet local students from other colleges that share the campus. While my school aims toward American students, most of my classmates are from Europe, Africa, and Asia. Having numerous international students in my classes has been fascinating because it allows me to adapt to a culturally diverse atmosphere while learning about other countries from first-hand experience.

I am enrolled in International Marketing, Advanced French, International Economics, and Corporate Finance. My classes are more project-focused than test-based, so when assigned to groups, our teachers mix us with students from different countries. I appreciate this learning style because when I work for a company in the future, we will collaborate in teams, and adapting to other people’s working types, especially international students, will be beneficial in the long term. I’ve learned that communicating with students from other countries can be tricky when dealing with language barriers and understanding their viewpoints. However, collaborating to accommodate these differences allows us to grow and learn from each other. My professors vary by course; some are from America, and others are from European or Asian countries. I am learning all of my classes in English, except Advanced French, and though my international professors have accents, I don’t find it challenging to learn. My goals for this semester include becoming fluent in French, submerging in European culture, and being successful in my classes. The American Business School of Paris will allow me to flourish through the courses, students, and resources.

Tis the season to be jolly! To celebrate the holidays, I headed to Strasbourg, France. On the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg had been battled back and forth no fewer than five times between the two countries. Rich in Franco-German culture, I had a fantastic first day of December discovering this Christmas wonderland. Strasbourg is known as the capital of Christmas due to its famous Christmas market that dates to 1570. I tried different Alsatian foods such as sauerkraut, kugelhopf, and tarte flambée. I loved this city’s architecture, canals, food, and culture, and I can see myself returning in the future.

Studying abroad is a fantastic experience, and I recommend this Paris program at the American Business School of Paris to every student interested in attaining an international education. Whether you are abroad for six weeks to a year, you will make unforgettable memories and grow both in maturity and culturally. Traveling through Europe is convenient by train; however, prices can rise if planned on short notice. If you are flexible on time, check out the bus options to and from your destination. While it may take longer than a train, this is the perfect way to have a scenic experience at a lower cost if you are not pressed for time. I spontaneously decided to go to Strasbourg the day before I went, and I saved over 100 euros on transportation fees. Happy traveling!