It’s time for a check-in from a SPA student studying abroad. Get ready for advice and adventures from SPA! Today’s inaugural post is written by junior Brian Dab, who is studying in Paris at SciencesPo.
Bonjour crazy UHPers! Studying abroad is not as glamorous as it always sounds. There, I said it! I’m going to be completely honest: If you don’t believe me, just read my blog. Not every second is spent sipping rosé along the Seine with a baguette and chèvre cheese – or whatever the version of this ideal is in other study abroad destinations. Classes do exist, chores still have to get done, and your life back in the US doesn’t disappear. Your abroad experience is filled with adjustment, discovery, and adventure. For some students, it might take a month or so to fully adjust and feel comfortable in your host city. Others might realize their classes are easy and don’t require much effort, leaving time to gallivant around the city. Every study abroad experience is different and each is life-changing for various reasons.
However, they all have one thing in common: they are about you. You make the experience what it is. You choose where to live, what classes to take, how often to travel, when to go out, who to meet, and decide why you’re there. Live the semester for yourself and do what you want. When I decided to go abroad I was at a place in my college experience where I thought returning in the fall would just be more of the same. I was ready for a new challenge, and this is certainly shaping up to be such a challenge. I took some time to really think about what I wanted to get out of this experience. I am excited to learn more about myself and being in the real world, as I navigate a completely foreign environment.
As a Political Science major, I knew studying at SciencesPo in Paris would be a great choice as a hub for social sciences in Europe. Although I know almost zero French and I’ve never really spent time in Europe, this was another challenge that I knew would force my personal growth and teach me more than walking the streets of Foggy Bottom for another semester. Paris is a city where meaning, purpose, and history abound. From monuments to cultural norms, most things in Paris can be explained by its vast history.
I encourage all of you to seriously consider the prospect of studying abroad. Where are you in your college experience? What can you still learn about life and yourself? Would another semester at GW be more of the same? Will living in another city help expand your horizons? There is much to consider, but there is no wrong decision. Follow your instincts. Trust your heart. And remember to make the most of the opportunities you have in our short four years at GW. As I do on my blog I will end with one of my favorite quotes:
“The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only a page” -St. Augustine
Skip to content
University Honors Program Blog
Intellectual Omnivores Unite
GW is committed to digital accessibility. If you experience a barrier that affects your ability to access content on this page, let us know via the Accessibility Feedback Form.