Studying abroad leads inevitably to life-changing experiences. We encourage all students of French & Italian to study abroad so they may experience different cultures, languages, food, dance, theatre, and so much more. By interacting in their target language, students become more grounded and comfortable using French and/or Italian to express themselves and even dream in ways they had never thought possible.
The three students featured below studied abroad in the Summer 2024 semester had these kinds of life-changing experiences.
Joseph Palazzo - Italian City
The Italian Cities Study Abroad program is an experience that immerses students into one of the most exciting and academically stimulating cities on the planet: Bologna. It is through this crossroads of the Italian peninsula that students are able to explore a cultural richness that is totally unique in its diversity, food, art, and education. As a student studying Human Nutrition at OSU, I particularly enjoyed Bologna's many delicious and affordable restaurants, alongside incredible gelato shops and cafes at every corner. Additionally, exploring Italy's castles and palaces alongside other classmates was unforgettable, with each location having fascinating stories and histories which were often intertwined.
Isabelle Laidly - IES Language Immersion in Paris, France
I participated in the IES Abroad French Language Immersion program this past summer in Paris, France. Participating in this program was certainly a life changing experience as I was able to learn the French language and culture by taking classes in Paris and living with a host family. I chose to live with a host family so that I was immersed in the culture 24/7 and I got to see the daily life of Parisians and practice my French all of the time. I certainly improved my French speaking and understanding of their culture, but I also got to learn more about myself, travel around Europe, and make many new friends throughout the program. If you ever have the chance to study abroad I 100% recommend you do it as you will have the time of your life and make new memories and friends to last a lifetime.
Iman Benlemlih - Aix-en-Provence, France
This past summer, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France for three weeks. Other than taking an Advanced French course, my dayto- day routine consisted of perfecting my coffee order and exploring different shops and markets between classes. On the weekends, my classmates and I travelled to different cities in France, like Marseille and Paris. Immersing myself in French culture and learning about the language and gastronomy allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how French and American cultures differ. This experience enriched my outlook on cross-cultural dynamics and strengthened my adaptability in diverse environments while also allowing me to make a ton of new friends (Both French and American!) My favorite parts of the trip were wearing stylish outfits to class every day, trying new foods, and getting around via buses and TGV. I thank the contributors and facilitators of the FRIT scholarship and other study abroad grants that allowed this opportunity to be possible for me. :)
