You hear it at nearly every college campus you visit: “I studied abroad for a semester my junior year.” However, DePauw is different. Although a large number of students do study abroad for at least one semester their junior year, first-year and sophomore students are able to immediately take advantage of study abroad experiences with Extended Studies courses such as those during Winter Term, May Term and classes over the summer.

Since DePauw allowed me the opportunity, I went abroad at the end of my freshman year to Nice, France in order to complete my language requirement for French. When I found out the news, I couldn’t believe it. Never had I ever imagined that I would live along the French Riviera for five weeks, but DePauw made my wildest abroad dream into a reality.

Overall, the program was pretty wonderful. The program was led by two French Professors from DePauw and was coordinated with the company IES Abroad. While there, we had class three days a week and went on mini excursions either in Nice or to surrounding cities during the other two days. Weekends were completely free! We could say I did quite a bit of exploring!

This past summer, I learned to become even more independent. I learned how to live on my own, cook, clean and find transportation. I learned to navigate a new culture and I also learned French. I have DePauw to thank for all of these opportunities. Plus, the ability to go to the beach every day while still taking an intensive course was quite the perk!

I’ll never forget my summer along the Côte d'Azur enjoying French culture and learning the language, but luckily, with DePauw’s Winter Term, I will be traveling to France again this winter! It’s only my sophomore and I’m glad I didn’t have to wait till my junior year.