Final day at UGA
Author: Harleigh Smith | Major: International and Global Studies | Semester: Fall 2023
This was my final month in Grenoble! During my time there, I greatly enjoyed challenging my French speaking skills and connecting with the culture. I am so glad I chose this program because I can see so much improvement in my French. While in Grenoble, I took time to reflect on topics I would be interested in pursuing for my Honors Thesis. Of all of the classes I took this semester, I have to say that my grammar course was my favorite. In this class, I was able to connect with many students from around the world like Portugal, China, and Afghanistan. I started to prepare for finals which were the week of December 11th. Over three days, I had nine finals that consisted of two writing exams, one oral comprehension exam, one interview, one vocabulary exam, one writing comprehension exam, and three elective exams. Having so many exams in such a short period was definitely a challenge, and it was very important for me to manage my study time wisely. During this time, I had to figure out what I needed to prioritize and focus on parts of the French language that I struggled with the most. I struggle a lot with test anxiety, and it was also important for me to communicate this with my professors in order to have the full support I needed to be successful during my exams. My professors provided such an amazing support system which allowed me to feel confident in taking my exams. During my interview, I was paired with my vocabulary class professor. I also have a lot of anxiety involving interviews, but she was very patient and understanding. I am grateful for the help my professors gave me over the semester which allowed me to significantly improve my understanding of the French language.
My last excursion during this semester abroad was to Lyon. This was a very quick excursion as Lyon is only an hour away from Grenoble. I really enjoyed this excursion as it was one of the last times to spend with the others in my program. We went to Lyon on the first Saturday in December, and it was the first snow of winter in the area. It was a really beautiful day to explore the city and see the snowfall. The Christmas market in Lyon was open that weekend, and it was such a wonderful experience to see. After my semester ended, I took a week to travel before going home, and my mom joined me. I was able to return to Annecy and Paris as well as see Dijon for the first time. During my post-semester travels, I took time to learn more about how life differs from region to region throughout the country.
My final piece of advice that I have for future study abroad students is to take time to enjoy little moments during your time abroad. The time passes very quickly, and before you know it you will be sending off some of your closest friends at the train station. It is a little difficult to adjust upon returning, but be sure to create a routine for yourself. Having a routine will make your adjustment much easier. The first thing I did when I returned home was spend time with my family and my dog. I am very close with my family, so spending so much time away from them was difficult. I am so happy to be home, and I am so grateful for the time I spent studying in Grenoble.