Something we got to do on our first day was a cruise along the Seine!
Author: Maddie Mahoney | Major: International Business Marketing
My name is Maddie Mahoney, and I am an incoming junior in the Walton College, where I’m studying International Business with a Marketing Concentration and also pursuing a minor in French. This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad through ISA at the American Business School of Paris, France.
When I started searching for a study abroad program last fall, I initially decided on somewhere in France to advance my French speaking skills, and the summer program at ISA caught my eye for two reasons. For starters, the classes that were offered at the American Business School were unique to the ABS and taught differently from my business classes at the U of A. My classes, European Management and Creating Luxury Brands, were taught by professors who have worked all over Europe, and the course material was instructed from a European viewpoint rather than an American. I thought that there was no better way to learn about differences in management style than from highly experienced professors, and similarly, found the luxury marketing course exceptionally relevant in a city renowned as a headquarter for luxury brands.
My classes were both academically and socially enriching, and each time I left class, I felt like I had gained insight from not only the professors but also the other students. The culture of the classrooms was highly collaborative and conversational, and both of my classes had students from all over Europe, including local Parisians, as well as students from Turkey, Lebanon, and Poland. Developing these friendships and hearing about the different lifestyles and paths that had brought us all together at ABS was definitely something I was most grateful and appreciative of. I believe these classes exposed and prepared me for what to expect when entering the International Business industry, especially if I decide to live and work internationally. These prepared me for different perspectives and experiences I might have when interacting in this industry, as well as the importance of being receptive as well as open-minded.
My program with ISA included several opportunities and adventures curated to experience and acclimate to the Parisian lifestyle. From the traditional game of Pétanque, our excursions to all the chateaux that decorate the Loire Valley, and exploring Claude Monet’s Garden, I was lucky enough to see and explore both the traditions and history of France. Living in Paris meant that the Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, and so many other art and history museums were only a metro ride away, and my friends and I got to enjoy eating lunch along the Seine and taking a short train to explore the gardens of Versailles. I was also lucky enough to experience several French holidays, including Fete de la Musique, as well visiting the Palais Garnier for an opera, and seeing the buzzing streets and shows during Paris Fashion Week.
However, the most memorable part of my program was living in a homestay with my French family and their tiny dog, Fleur. My host mother prepared traditional French meals, assisted us with the very-humbling Parisian public transportation, and shared stories and advice from previous host students. Staying in a homestay was extremely helpful in advancing my French language skills, as our conversations were solely in French, and we were learning different Parisian sayings throughout our time with our hosts. Getting a glimpse and experiencing firsthand what a typical Parisian lifestyle consisted of, like buying a baguette each night when coming home for dinner, was a great way for my roommate and me to acclimate to daily life and was an amazing and eye-opening experience.
To any student considering studying abroad at some point, I think it’s important to remember that anywhere you go, you’ll experience new cultures, learn about new lifestyles, and create amazing experiences. However, the most important thing I learned from my time is that your experience abroad is what you make of it. Every single person in my program had a different perspective at the end of our experience, and something I found really added to my own was the fact that I personalized my experience and curated it to be uniquely my own! There will undoubtedly be so much to experience, and the experience is much more powerful when you’re being attentive and true to yourself!