When my plane touched down in Nice, France, I had no idea what to expect. Traveling logistics occupied my mind before the trip, and I had no time to stop and consider what it would be like to explore one of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems in the world.
When exiting the airport, I immediately felt a coastal breeze roll across my back and the warm sun on my shoulders. I relished the moment of remembering why I signed up to study abroad. It was not because I enjoyed the challenge of stuffing a month’s worth of clothes into a carry-on I could not even lift, but, instead, to see the seagulls soar across the shoreline, smell honeysuckle every night walking back to my apartment and embark on a month’s worth of unforgettable adventures.
I have always dreamed of studying abroad. I believe experiencing other cultures helps someone shape their values and go about their life in a curious way. Seeing people doing things differently, whether it’s speaking a new language or practicing an unfamiliar religion, encourages open-mindedness. I have certainly learned a lot in Nice, from struggling through ordering food at restaurants to meeting new people from across the world.
Nice has no shortage of adventures. In just one week, it feels like I have lived 100 lives. On my first night here, I watched the sun set over the sea on the beach, and it is something I will never forget. Pinks faded into oranges, which faded into the blue of the Mediterranean Sea in the most perfect watercolor painting no iPhone could ever effectively capture. The coast was filled with people enjoying the view, eating dinner and getting ready for a great night. I remember not just the sunset, but also the gorgeous atmosphere of safety and fun.
On another day, my class took a day trip to Chateauneuf Vieilleville, a village high up in the mountains overlooking the city. Despite experiencing a slight drizzle, we had a delicious picnic lunch and climbed through the castle ruins. It is incredible to think about people living there hundreds of years ago.
One of my favorite things about France so far has been its immense history. Nice has a cannon that has gone off every day at noon since 1861. This tradition mixed with the beautiful churches and residential buildings makes me excited to dive deeper into Nice’s past.
Sometimes when visiting a new place, it can be intimidating to consider getting around, but Nice has well-positioned public transportation systems to make that easy. Three trams run within the city. I used them to get home from the airport and to class each day. Additionally, in the middle of Nice, a big train station goes to surrounding cities.
My friends and I took a day trip to Èze on one of the trains where we climbed up hundreds of flights of stairs to get to an old castle and village. Èze had one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen, and it was just 15 minutes away from Nice.
My biggest advice to anyone studying abroad is to try everything. Try ordering in the local language, visiting all the sights (whether they are local or touristy), making memories with friends and making new friends, and taking lots of pictures — because each day, you will learn something new.
The environment and culture is completely different from the United States, which can be scary, but lean into it! I will know so much more when the plane wheels lift off the ground in June than I did at the beginning of May because this unfamiliar place has forced me to ask questions, explore my values and challenge my perception of the world around me.
This post was contributed by Kaeli Kampschmidt, a Global Ambassador for May Term 2024. Kaeli is a freshman neuroscience studies major studying abroad in Nice, France.
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