When people say studying abroad changes you, they aren’t kidding. I did a cultural exchange in high school in France, studied abroad in France, and interned abroad in Hungary. Every single one of those experiences were unparalleled. I learned so much about the local cultures and customs, but the most shocking thing is how much I ended up learning about myself.
Usually the first thing that comes to mind when anyone talks about France is Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Not to say that Paris isn’t great (I went like 7 times during my 5 months in France), but Lyon is a hidden gem. Lyon is the gastronomy capital of France, so yes, the food at the local restaurants called “Bouchon Lyonnais” was AMAZING, and there is nothing like stopping by the bakery on your way to class for a pain au chocolat or a croissant.
Paris shows up in countless films, but what’s really cool is that Lyon practically invented movies. Auguste and Louis Lumière, both born in Lyon, are credited with creating the first film camera (the cinematograph) in 1892. So, there is a museum/cinema dedicated to them, and their work, in Lyon, where you can spend hours exploring and learning more about the evolution of the film camera.
My two favorite parts of Lyon where the rivers and the parks. The Rhone and the Saone both pass through Lyon and actually meet up in the district of Confluence. As it started getting warmer, we started to realize that people gathered on the banks of the rivers to picnic for hours with some cheese and wine every afternoon, and it was definitely what all of the students looked forward to after class. As for the parks, the Parc de la Tête d'or, which literally translates to the Park of the Golden Head, was the prettiest place to spend time outside. It has a little zoo on one side, a pond on the other, a running/bike trail, and endless amounts of trees.
Although Lyon was amazing, I took advantage of every weekend I could and tried to visit other cities in France, as well as other countries in the region. I was able to hit 16 countries and 31 cities. Studying abroad can be very scary, travelling alone can be terrifying, but if there is something I learned while being in Europe it is to take every day at a time because nothing is as bad or as scary as it may sound. Visiting other countries opens up your knowledge of the world in innumerable ways, the people you meet will definitely be unforgettable, and the memories you make will stay with you forever.
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Come meet Micaela and the other peer advisors for a HogsAbroad 101 drop-in session at the Study Abroad House! Come to the office weekdays from 3-5 pm to get all the study abroad basics. Peer advisors are available to help you review your options for study abroad and start searching for a program.
Come meet Micaela and the other peer advisors for a HogsAbroad 101 drop-in session at the Study Abroad House! Come to the office weekdays from 3-5 pm to get all the study abroad basics. Peer advisors are available to help you review your options for study abroad and start searching for a program.
