Samantha – France

March 12, 2025

We are on our way to Paris! I loved Tours, both the city life and the countryside. After landing and driving to Tours, we just got the rest of the day to unpack and explore. I was so excited to get to know my group and hopeful to make a couple of friends! After discussing and getting a quick bite to eat we met with the group and had a French cuisine dinner. The dinner was a great start to this trip. I tried a few things I’ve never had before and got a better understanding of wine pairing. After dinner, a few of us went to explore the city a little bit more.

On Monday we went to Ibis which is a college in France. It was so cool to be able to meet with students our age and to learn about their projects and school. I was able to connect with one of the students. I found out that he will be an exchange student here in August! Yay us! Something that I found very interesting was how well they presented themselves during the projects. The main objective of the project was to work with other students around the world and to compare and contrast business policy if it was collective or individualistic, and what they would do better. They spoke clear English and were confident in what they were saying. It was clear that they put a lot of effort into this project. It was inspiring to see. After having our meeting with the school we got to explore the area of the college. Something I liked about this trip was the amount of free time we had. It was the free time that allowed us to bond as a group. After a little break, we did a walking tour of Tours. Seeing the old castles, cathedral, and old homes was enjoyable! We found cute shops along the way which I was excited for. I would recommend for anyone traveling abroad to have good walking shoes. Everything is a quick walk away and after a while your feet will start to hurt if you aren’t prepared.

Tuesday was the day many of us were excited about, the winery! Without going into deep research I just thought we would learn about how it was made. The winery did teach us how they made their wine but also the French history of the countryside of tours, how the weather may impact how much wine is made, the different types of grapes used for different flavors, and so much more. In French history to stay cool and to keep their goods fresh they dug into the mountainsides to store fruits and vegetables, to sleep in, and for other survival needs. Now they are used to store wine or use another pantry. The whole tour was exciting, though by now my feet were hurting and the jetlag had hit me. The hardest part of traveling abroad is jet lag or not feeling 100%. At the end of the tour, we got to sit down and sample some wine. We had finger food that pairs well with different types of wine. After a while, we headed back to the bus to head back to the hotel.

So far this trip has been a blast! I have loved getting to know the professors and fellow students. I also am thankful to Ibis for hosting us and getting a sneak peek into what classes are like.

March 7, 2025

Hello! My name is Samantha Browne, I’m a marketing major with a minor in psychology! I am going to France this spring break with the college of business. This is my first time studying abroad and I’m so excited for this opportunity. I think what i’m most excited for is to see the restored Notre Dame!

Something I hope to gain from this study abroad is an understanding of France’s different management’s strategies, marketing, and to learn how to be professional in a different culture. Using the cultural dimension that I learned in my study abroad allows me to understand French culture. I think what I’m most nervous about is asking good questions and not being afraid to ask for more information.

I can’t wait to see Paris when it starts to get dark and they turn on all the lights around the Eiffel Tower. This is my first time flying solo and while I am nervous about it, I’m also excited for this new experience! This is going to be a great opportunity for growth in so many ways.