Author: Alllyson Zimmerman | Major: Political Science and International Relations | Semester: Summer 2025

This was me on an excursion to Mont Blanc with CEA CAPPA

My name is Ally Zimmerman, and this summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Grenoble, France, through the U of A faculty-led French language program. I was particularly drawn to the program because it included a homestay with a local French family, which I felt would be the perfect way to immerse myself in the culture and language fully. I am a Political Science and International Relations major in Fulbright College, and I have also studied French for a few years. I knew that real-world exposure was essential to improving my fluency, and Grenoble seemed like the perfect option for several reasons. Grenoble is a smaller city surrounded by three mountain ranges, and unlike Paris or other major French cities, there are very few tourists. This allowed me to have a more genuine and authentic experience of French life. I studied there for just under five weeks, from the end of May to early July, and each weekday, I spent four hours in French language classes. At first, the class was intimidating because all of the instruction, discussions, and materials were in completely French. However, by the end of the program, I saw a huge improvement in both my listening and speaking abilities. Outside of the classroom, the program offered several unique opportunities to engage with the community. I participated in civic engagement activities at local initiatives where I could practice conversational French with native speakers and learn more about French perspectives on social issues. These conversations helped me feel more confident using the language in real-life settings. Another highlight of the program was the weekend excursions. We visited castle ruins, explored a cave system, and went to the top of the tallest mountain in Europe! These trips were great for offering a mix of history and nature at unique locations I wouldn’t have been able to visit on my own. They were also a great way to bond with other students in the program, many of whom I became close friends with. My favorite weekend trip was to the South of France, where we visited Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. Even though these cities are only about three hours from Grenoble, the atmosphere felt completely different. It was interesting to see how much the culture and pace of life changed within the same country. We also visited Geneva, Switzerland, just across Alps. I loved being able to use my French in a different country and see how the language and culture shifted across borders. To any student considering studying abroad, my biggest advice is to go in with an open mind and a willingness to be uncomfortable. There will always be moments when you feel out of place, homesick, and exhausted by being surrounded by things that are entirely different. But it’s important to push your boundaries because studying abroad is an amazing way to grow and test your limits. At the end of the day, you won’t remember any mistakes you made with a different language or uncomfortable moments, but you will remember the friendships and memories you made. My advice is to be friendly with everyone, try all the new foods, and say yes to as many experiences as possible.