- For my STEP signature project, I studied French at the Université Laval in Québec City, Canada. I took two French classes while immersing myself in sociocultural activities. I was lucky to experience life in a different country, and to gain new experiences there.
Chateau Frontenac lit up at night.
2. My worldview changed by making me see myself as more independent and capable than I thought that I could be. I learned that I could make connections with my fellow students, take care of myself, and generally live on my own. This was the first time that I lived anywhere outside of the country and the first time that I lived anywhere where English was not the first language. At the beginning of the experience, I was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to do it, but by the end I was proud of What I had achieved.
3. The language barrier created a lot of opportunity for me to exercise independence. I had to figure out a lot of things on my own, or I had to figure out the proper way to ask for help and translate the responses. When I caught a cold while I was in Québec I had to walk to the nearest pharmacy and translate the ingredients in the medicine that I needed.
It was also fascinating to be one of only a few Americans in my classes. I felt like I had a duty to be a good ambassador of my country. My conversations with my classmates made me better at communicating, both in French and in English. This experience allowed me to relate to classmates from other countries and gave me more confident in my ability to forge new connections on my own. My classmates were all so kind, and were very interested in discussing similarities and differences between our communities.
Hiking at Jacques Cartier National Park
The most valuable way that my study abroad made me more independent was simply making things less scary by comparison. I learned that I was able to function independently while living the furthest away from home that I ever have. I learned that I was able to express myself in another language and another culture while being understood. In comparison, once I got home, I found that doing similar tasks was no longer as intimidating as it once was.
4. This newfound independence will serve me well in my future. I have struggled with anxiety in the past, and while that made this experience very challenging, it was also extremely rewarding. After returning, I have a newfound confidence that will allow me to function better in my chosen field. One of my greatest weaknesses in my development in the field of public affairs was my lack of confidence. After this experience, I will be able to make the decisions and perform the tasks that are required of a good public servant. It is important that I have learned to trust my own best judgment, and how to confidently navigate in a new situation.