Preparing and Arriving to My New Home in Strasbourg, France!

Hi everyone! My name is Madison Doran, and I am currently a junior at Ohio State where I am studying Finance with a minor in Fashion and Retail Studies. This semester I am studying at EM Strasbourg Business School which is located in Strasbourg, France. Strasbourg is situated in a unique region of France called the Alsace region and borders Germany. I have been in Strasbourg for a few weeks now, and I can safely say that I have had a ton of exciting and stressful experiences that have contributed to a wide range of emotions.

While I was always excited about my study abroad and had heard so many friends and relatives talk highly of their experiences, I was also incredibly nervous. With Fisher’s student exchange being rather independent, I thought I had conquered all of the obstacles I would face through obtaining my visa and finding a place live. I had failed to even consider the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic may present, as well as the initial culture shock I would face when I arrived in my host country.

My flight to Strasbourg was scheduled to take place during the height of the Omicron variant’s spread. My excitement was almost overtaken by the extreme anxiety I faced not knowing what new restrictions would be imposed from day to day, or if France would even be put into a lockdown again. Additionally, I had the fear that I would test positive and not be able to get on my plane over to Strasbourg.

After a long 16 hours of traveling and a layover in Madrid, I finally arrived at my accommodation in Strasbourg. Despite arriving safely and Facetiming my family, I still had this voice in my head wondering if I had made the wrong decision and if I should have stayed at Ohio State. My mind kept jumping to the worst-case scenario that I would not be able to make friends or that I would be incredibly homesick, but it is safe to say those fears went away with time as I met new people and made new friends. Luckily, I was able to arrive safely in my host country without facing any new restrictions; however, there was a wave of initial culture shock I had not expected to experience. Even the smallest tasks such as going to the grocery store seemed daunting as I did not know any French and unable to ask for help at the self checkout station. I was also shocked by how slow the service was at food establishments. What would normally be a 40 minute meal could easily turn into an hour and a half due to the French cultural aspect of not rushing during meals. 

On my first day in Strasbourg, I was filled with anxiety, yet I made it an important goal of mine to get out of my accommodation and explore the city. One thing I noticed immediately that I was not expecting was how little confidence I had in myself to do mundane tasks I usually don’t even think about doing at home in Columbus. For instance, the first time I went to the grocery store I was so stressed about not understanding what the cashier was saying to me. I also walked around for ages trying to build my confidence up to walk into a bakery or café and order. These fears have gotten much more manageable, and I have realized that as long as I show I am trying to communicate in French, many people are kind and willing to make the effort to understand.

Once the orientation program and classes started, I was able to meet so many different people coming from all over the world. There have been people in my classes that come from other countries in Europe such as Ireland, Hungary, and Spain, as well as students who are coming from places much further away such as Brazil, Uruguay, and Canada. Being able to meet international students from all over the world has been one of the coolest aspects of my time in Strasbourg so far. I have learned a wide variety of traditions and customs that you can’t really read about or learn about in a classroom.

I quickly realized Strasbourg is the perfect size for me. Although it may not be as well-known as other European cities like Rome or Paris, Strasbourg is a great place for students with international students representing around 20% of the student population. In the few weeks I have been here, I have learned my way around the city and have come to love that I can so easily walk to the city center or use public transportation in the form of the tram. I make it a goal to take multiple walks a week around the city and explore new areas. 

For any students who are potentially thinking of studying abroad, I have a few recommendations that may help with the initial culture shock. First off, I would say it is useful to learn a few basic words in French or the language of your host country. When I arrived in Strasbourg, I knew absolutely no French. Although my French has not improved much, I do know some basic words and phrases that have allowed me to feel much more comfortable when ordering at a café or asking for help in a store. Additionally, I would recommend going to any welcome event put on by the university or even attending any gatherings that other exchange students may be going to. For my cohort of international students, we set up a WhatsApp messaging group before arriving in Strasbourg. Many people are in a similar situation, not knowing anyone on their exchange, so these gatherings and meetups are a great way to meet people and socialize outside of the classroom. I found that many of my friends are the people I met during these welcome events and unofficial gatherings.

Overall, I have learned that it is necessary to put myself out there no matter how uncomfortable or nervous this may make me at first. I am so grateful to have had this experience, and every day I attempt to make the most of it whether it be exploring a new part of the city or trying a new restaurant with a friend. There is so much growth that comes from immersing yourself in a new culture, and I am so excited to continue meeting people, traveling to new places, and learning more about the French culture! Studying abroad has forced me to step out of my comfort zone, and I would highly recommend any student considering it to go for it!