I recently returned from spending my Spring 2024 semester in Nantes, France where I attended Audencia Business School. I took classes in business management, marketing, and global studies as part of their international student program. In this program, there were students from all over the world and I made friends from Peru, Mexico, South Korea, Germany, Italy, and more. Over the four months that I was in France, I had time to learn about French culture as I was able to live like a local and visit different parts of France.

This was my first time leaving the country, and going somewhere where a different language was spoken. I challenged myself as I navigated this language barrier and many cultural differences, being in an unfamiliar place. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit eight other countries while I was in France, so I was able to learn about many other cultures and make comparisons and notice differences as I travelled around.

As I had the opportunity to learn about the different ways in which so many people live it allowed me to reflect on customs and traditions that we have here in the United States. Meeting and studying with people from around the world also allowed me to gain a greater perspective into different styles of communication and insights into how business is done differently around the world.

All of my classes were project based so I spent a lot of time working with my classmates both inside and outside of the classroom on our projects. This allowed me to learn more about them and the cultures that they come from. I learned a lot about the differences in education around the world and differences in work life balance. I was fortunate to become friends with many of my classmates and travelled all around Europe with them. It was very interesting for me to learn about different cultures and ways of life while traveling and through the eyes of people who are from different places in the world than me and the other OSU students that were part of my program. I also became friends with many students from France and they helped immerse me into their culture and explain things that were different than what I was used to. It was very helpful to have these friends to help me navigate cultural differences and made me more aware of things that US immigrants may face. 

The four months that I spent studying in France were very valuable to me because it forced me into situations where I was uncomfortable and had to figure out how to navigate. I travelled to many different places so had to research in advance what their cultures and traditions were. I found myself in many situations where there was a language barrier and had to figure out how to work though them. Working with people from all different backgrounds made me appreciate our differences even more as I learned how to communicate and work through said differences. The communication and navigation skills that I learned and practiced while abroad will translate into my future career as I want to work for a multinational corporation and will have to work with all different types of people. I plan to continue to travel the world and learn about the ways in which different people live and this semester gave me the confidence I need to do so. This was my first time being far from family so I know that in the future if I have the opportunity to move away, I will be able to do it and still be able to stay connected to my family and friends in other places. Overall, the experiences that I had and challenges that I faced helped me become more confident in myself and what I am capable of navigating. 

Raymond Barrish III (Barrish.8)

My STEP project entailed going on the summer, 2024 study abroad trip “Between France and Morocco.” During this trip, we attended classes and guest lectures learning about colonialism in the francophone world both before our departure and throughout the month of may while traveling to multiple cities in both France and Morocco as well as visited many different sites and museums throughout the trip.

Before completing this project, I had already traveled to France, but never to Morocco (or anywhere else in Africa). I had some assumptions about Morocco, as well as about France from my previous trips there that were challenged during this trip. In French classes that I have taken in the past, I always learned that Morocco is a French-speaking country. I had always just just assumed that Arabic and French were the two languages that they spoke there. I knew that Morocco was a protectorate of France for some time and that there was a lot of French influence in Morocco; however, what I did not know is how much English has started to dominate as the second language in Morocco, and the attitude that many Moroccans hold towards French today. French was forced upon many different countries throughout their colonial history, and it can be looked upon negatively because of the colonial history of France; France did not always treat its colonies kindly or fairly during its colonial rule. In my experience during this program, it was difficult for me to find people to speak French with me. The majority of people who I spoke to in French spoke back to me in English, and I was often told simply that they would prefer to speak English than French, especially by younger people closer to my age. I get the impression that Morocco is succumbing to the anglicization of the world. However, most shops and stores in the cities in Morocco still have signs written in both French and Arabic, street signs are often in French and Arabic and names of government buildings and monuments are named in French. Eventually, I feel that all of these things will be written in Arabic and in English, rather than in Arabic and French, but French is still everywhere in Morocco, and even young people still do seem to speak conversational French, at least in the major cities that we visited (whether or not they are eager to speak it) as they learn French starting at a very young age in school. In museums, mosques, and most other places that we visited in Morocco, everything was written in English, French, and Arabic. Though to some what may stand out is that English is present today all around Morocco, what stands out to me is that French is still there. Despite the poor treatment that was frequent from France to its colonies and protectorates, and the negative feelings that many people certainly (rightfully) have towards France and the French, the French language is still omnipresent in the daily lives of many Moroccans. Especially in the cities, it is hard to go even a few minutes walking around a major city in Morocco without running into a sign in French, someone speaking in French, or a French shop. This is not by choice, but rather a byproduct of colonialism that remains intact nearly seventy years later. It will be interesting to me to visit Morocco again when I am older and see how this changes. How will it look 100 years later? 150? Hopefully I will have the opportunity to return to Morocco one day, or even live there one day and to watch how language in Morocco develops over my lifetime and see to what degree English truly replaces French.

Based on my French classes and my previous trips to France, I had always assumed that France is one of the most progressive and accepting countries in Europe, and even in the world. During class, we learned about the French idea of l’aïcité and the policies that have been developed targeting muslims. Learning about these policies and the way that islam is viewed in France changed completely my view on France and on the world as a whole.

During the program, we visited the cities of Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille in France. There were many things that I noticed and that I learned that changed my perspective on the world around me. The first thing that I noticed was the clear contrast between availability of prayer spaces for muslims vs for catholics. In Paris, there are large, beautiful cathedrals, such as the Cathédrale de Notre Dame, that are very dry apparent throughout the city. However, there are no grand mosques. Instead, Muslims must pray in small prayer spaces or sometimes even in the street. This is due to the secularism law of 1905, declaring that the state will no longer fund the building of religious spaces such as mosques and cathedrals. However, Cathedrals still remained in the hand of the government, which is why the government is repairing the historic Notre Dame Cathedral today. This left all of the Muslims in Paris without a large mosque where they can pray. However, this law did not just affect the city of Paris. In marseille, we visited a prayer space. Upon arriving, I was confused as to where the mosque was as I did not see any minaret or any large beautiful building. The place that we were visiting was in fact a small prayer space that became packed when all of the men came in to pray for the friday prayer, and there are no grand mosques in Marseille. This prayer space was unidentifiable from the outside, it could have been any building if you were just walking by. This comes as a result of the 1905 law on the secularism of church and state, which left many muslims throughout France with no space to pray.

From my observation, it seems that the majority of moroccan women wear some sort of head covering, whether it be a hijab, niqab, or burka. Though these head covering are not only worn for religious reasons, they often are worn out of dedication to the islamic faith. Contrary to what I saw while traveling through France, where the women wearing a head covering are certainly the small minority, there is no reason to try to hide these religious symbols for women in Morocco. In france, these women in France are looked down upon and often targeted by policies and bans by the French government. After the headscarf controversies, girls in school were banned from wearing headscarves in school as all “ostentatious” religious signs were banned in school. At the prayer space, we discussed with some women in the community and they explained how women that wear headscarves often have trouble finding jobs in France because of the way that they are viewed. However, in Marseille, there were certainly noticeably more women wearing head coverings than in the the rest of France;  Marseille seems to be much more open to women wearing head coverings, and there were even women wearing niqabs in the street, something that we did not see in Paris or Aix because these things are not accepted in these areas of France. We discussed in class with our professor at IAU about why these women are able to wear the full face covering when it is illegal in France in public, and how Marseille is the only place where these women feel safe in France to wear a niqab or burqa in public as it is the only city where they will not be arrested or harassed for wearing their full face covering.

Having these experiences in France and Morocco completely changed my perspective of the Francophone world. I have long hoped to move to France or a Francophone country after I finish college. I have always enjoyed my time in France and have hoped to live in France one day and maybe even start a family there one day. Since I began learning French in 7th grade, I have always been enamored with the French culture, and it has recently become a more realistic goal of mine to move to France one day as I have grown closer to reaching fluency in French. After learning what I have learned about France and seeing how it has changed my perspective on French society, I am not entirely sure that I will still do all of these things. If my Muslim friends would not be accepted in school in France or ridiculed in the streets, I am not sure that I would want to live there myself. I do not like the fact that the government has clearly targeted Muslims many times in their policy making. Even though I am not Muslim myself, I would not want to live my life somewhere where one can not practice their religion freely without being persecuted. Learning and experiencing these things for myself really changed my perspective on the places to which I traveled to as well as where I live myself. Though there are many issues in the United States today, it is a place where everyone is free to practice whatever religion they would like, and kids are free to feel comfortable and safe wearing their religious dress in school without being expelled or kicked out of class. Everyone can also wear what they would like in public without being arrested, regardless of with which religion it is associated. This experience has really made me reflect greatly upon my life in the United States as well as what my life could be like living in France or another Francophone country, and it is one that I will not soon forget.

For my STEP Signature Project, I participated in a two-week global health program in Córdoba, Argentina with Child Family Health International (CFHI). Everyday during the week I spent four hours shadowing at a local pediatric hospital and I took two hours of Spanish language classes. I lived there with a host family and other CFHI students and I was fully immersed in Argentinian language and culture. 

Before doing a global studies program like this, it was easy to get set into one way of thinking. I have always lived and worked in the United States, and although I’ve studied other countries, going to see the world for myself was a completely different experience. Immersion into a different culture was very transformational and it allowed me to better understand a diverse set of habits and values that differ from my own. CFHI emphasizes the idea of “letting the world change you,” and I set that as my goal before beginning my program. By letting the world change me, I was able to absorb all that I could learn and allow it to change the views I held before the experience. 

Shadowing in the pediatric hospital was a major transformational aspect of my global health program. I shadowed in dermatology, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency, surgery, and optometryand I got to see a lot. I really enjoyed seeing the interactions between patients and providers in a setting where cultural habits differ from what I am used to. Their professional standards differ as they take a more informal approach to emphasize the relational side of care. I learned a lot from the doctors as they interacted with children, but also when they worked to help families understand what was going on with their child. Pediatrics are so special because of the teamwork between providers and parents of small children, and I learned a lot from the relationships that I got to see. As I lead into my future career in healthcare, insider experiences in hospitals are very influential. 

Another pivotal aspect of my experience was my homestay situation with a local host family. My host family lives in a very central area of Córdoba which was an excellent way to be immersed into city-living. Every night, my host cooked traditional, homemade meals and we all ate together. In Argentina, they normally eat much later, around 8 or 9 pm, and they spend much more time in conversation. Some nights, we would spend around two hours talking and enjoying those meals and I learned a lot about their experiences in Argentina and about the country itself. Not only did I get to try delicious Argentinian food, but I learned so much from spending time with them. Being immersed into a different culture is very transformative in opening my mind even more and giving me a deeper understanding of other cultural values. 

Overall, my global education experience pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and try things that I’m not normally used to. Traveling on my own and getting around in a country far away from home was not always easy, but that’s what made it such a life changing experience. As I was out of my comfort zone, I felt even more encouraged to try new things, meet new people, and challenge myself in any way that I could. As I practiced the Spanish language, I was also challenged in my communication skills and I was able to build confidence through practice. When I spoke in Spanish, it was certainly not perfect and I needed a lot of patience from those around me. I became comfortable making mistakes and asking for help and that is a sense of comfort that I can bring into all areas of my life as I continue as a student and a life-long learner.

The transformation that occurred during my global health experience will manifest in all areas of my life on a personal level, as a student, and as a future healthcare professional. Personally, the confidence and relational skills that I built up by going out of my comfort zone will allow me to find new opportunities to learn and grow. I feel that I am more willing to try things that are unfamiliar and I will benefit greatly from the new found open-mindedness. As I go forward as a student and pursue language and health studies, I will remember this experience to have a better understanding of diverse and underserved populations. I would like to take that approach throughout my career as I continue to pursue experience and knowledge of the world.

For the spring semester of my junior year at OSU, I participated in a student exchange program in Milan, Italy. I spent 4 months studying at Bocconi University, one of Europe’s most prestigious business schools, through the Fisher College of Business global office with two other selected OSU students.

After spending the semester overseas, I can confidently say that I learned more about myself and pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, especially in regards to communicating with others from different backgrounds. Prior to studying abroad, I lived my entire life in the Midwest, surrounded by people with similar upbringings to myself. However, when living in Italy, I had to learn the culture, social norms, and language of the locals to be able to communicate and live around others. Moreover, my time in Italy challenged my assumptions about communication and human connection. Navigating a foreign language and different social norms taught me the value of patience, empathy, and the ability to adapt. I found that despite language barriers, genuine human connections could still be made through shared experiences and emotions. This experience broadened my view of the world, making me more open-minded, appreciative of cultural diversity, and confident in my abilities as a person.

The first experience I had that led me to a greater understanding of others in a global perspective was my time in the classroom. Bocconi University is a very international school, so not only was I learning alongside Italian students, but I was sitting in classrooms with students and faculty from all over the world. Working on group projects with my peers and listening to lectures from my professors allowed me to learn about how different perspectives can be applied to different learning situations, and how our biases or upbringings can significantly impact the way we learn new information or work together with others.

Another thing that led to my transformation while abroad was truly the fact that I was thousands of miles away from everyone that I knew and loved. When I moved to Italy, I did not know anyone in Milan and had to completely rebuild relationships with those around me. At OSU and at home, I had grown very comfortable in my relationships, but this semester forced me to branch out and make friends from all different walks of life, which allowed me to learn about people from other backgrounds and parts of the world. These became friends that I studied with, tried new restaurants around Milan with, and even traveled with, which made me more secure in my interpersonal skills and will affect how I make friends in my future career.

The last experience that led me to be more confident and open-minded was traveling. Milan is very central to the rest of Europe and being located there allowed travel to other countries to be more affordable and more convenient. On weekends or holidays, I had the opportunity to travel and immerse myself in even more cultures than just Italian. I grew confident in my ability to travel alone and navigate around foreign countries, but I also grew confident in my ability to communicate with others and adapt to situations around me.

My new instilled self-confidence and understanding of others is significant in my life because it will allow me to excel in interpersonal relationships in my professional life and it will allow my passion for travel to continue in my personal life. As I pursue a career in business and marketing, I know I will have to form many relationships and network with colleagues to meet the goals I have for myself and understanding where others are coming from or how to communicate with others that might be different from me is crucial to succeeding in my career path. After my semester abroad, I feel more confident in those abilities and know it will affect how I connect with people throughout my professional journey. Also, I have always loved to travel. My increase in confidence and open-mindedness will allow that passion to flourish and will fuel my excitement to learn about new cultures and new people throughout the rest of my life.

Utah Beach Memorial

Gropius Bau – This building has always housed educational arts studies and programs. During WWII, the exterior of the building was hit repeatedly by Soviet machine gun fire as they entered Berlin in 1945.

Museum of the Liberation – Paris, France.

Me on the boardwalk of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.

My name is Isabella Scully-Tenpenny, and for my STEP project, I chose to study abroad through the Transnational History of World War II program, facilitated by the Ohio State Department of History. Through this program, we visited several World War II related museums and locations in London, UK; Bayeux, France; Paris, France; Krakow, Poland; and Berlin, Germany. This program is different from other study abroad programs because participants are required to take a course together with the leading professor during the spring semester prior to the beginning of the program during the summer semester. Upon arrival in London, everyone in my program had known each other at least since January 2024. Together we explored the rich cultures of the cities we traveled to, while experiencing each location’s version of World War II.

Goal 1

The night before I was to depart CMH en route to London-Heathrow Airport, I was hit with how scared I was to leave the United States. I stayed with a friend who had studied abroad in London the previous spring semester, and she admitted her worry for me as we organized my beat-up purple carry-on suitcase. In the U.S., the American sense of fashion is extremely casual… Sweatpants, mismatched socks, looking like I just rolled out of bed, etc. My friend stressed to me that I shouldn’t wear my athletic leggings, sport shorts, and my two cotton t-shirts that I’ve worn out and stained, out in Europe. I had planned to get a few outfits at a super cheap department store when I arrived, but having had a chaotic end of the semester, I didn’t have a chance to take a long look at the itinerary to plan when I would do my shopping. I was anxious and stressed. I didn’t want to be identifiably American. I was afraid of being targeted. This fear came from how the rest of the world is portrayed in the U.S..  I expected to be pickpocketed within the first 2 hours of being on British soil. I returned back to the States on June 21, and I was never pickpocketed. I was never kidnapped and held ransom because I was an American. Nor was I bombarded with questions, compliments, or wishes from the people who I met. The ground beneath my feet wasn’t worshipped, not that I expected this, but was usually met with a big “Aahh! America!” and a huge smile. I realized that the U.S. leads many Americans to exude a sort of supremacy that is extremely off-putting to Europeans. Our assumed entitled attitude gives Americans a bad reputation, and unfortunately, many of my fellow Americans that I observed lived up to this expectation. Thankfully, none of them are Ohio State students. 

Traveling to another country that either speaks English with a non-American accent, or doesn’t speak English, made me realize that for the first time in my life, I was a foreigner. I was the customer who didn’t speak the local language. I wish that I could go back to the beginning of my program when I was too shy to ask the locals about the local culture, and if they recommended restaurants or must-see attractions. I didn’t overcome my shyness until the first night that I was in Krakow, Poland, and I met a sandwich shop owner who had immigrated to Poland from Azerbaijan. He did not know much English, so he relied on Google Translate to communicate with me about what I wanted to order, and about where we both come from. He told me, through Translate of course, that there are people all over the world who will always be happy to help, if I just ask them. That lesson helped me to get over myself and be okay with asking for help. 

I have developed a much deeper respect and appreciation for the people I interact with back home who are not from the U.S. I now know that being in a foreign place is very hard, and very scary, especially if it’s the first time ever leaving home. Being kind, sensitive, and patient with others is extremely important and respectful, and can positively change the way someone sees the world. I know this because of an incident that taught me what it felt like to receive the opposite. 

I’ll never forget the group of French teenage boys who openly cursed my cohort as we entered the Utah Beach Landing Museum. I don’t know what they said about us besides, “******* Americans,” which was followed by loud snickering. My classmates’ and I who witnessed this were angry. Here we were in a foreign country, on Utah Beach where hundreds of American soldiers were killed on or after D-Day, being treated like a joke. I thought that I had felt a French-American connection because of the war, but I couldn’t help but reevaluate my feelings. It wasn’t fair, it was mean, and disrespectful, it was… exactly how many Americans act in the presence of non-Americans in America. In the U.S., we have to do better. The world deserves better. 

When I had decided that I wanted to do this program and I had thought about what I planned to get out of it, my number one goal was to become a more well-rounded global citizen. Upon returning home at the conclusion of my solo traveling trip, which began at the conclusion of my education abroad program, I am confident that I met my goal. I wish that I could say that I had planned to feel connected to the cities that I traveled to, but I hadn’t. Now I feel like I left a morsel of myself in each place I traveled to. In return, each place gave me a piece of itself for me to take wherever I go. Honestly, 30 days after, and I am still processing all that I experienced in Europe. I struggle to find the words to fully describe what it was like for me to travel to Europe. However, I know that I am much more confident in myself, and in what I can accomplish, especially in new situations. 

Goal 2

Through my education abroad program, I visited several history museums that were all related to World War II. After the first 4 museums, I began to question why we were supposed to visit so many museums that basically repeated each other. I knew all of the facts in the museums, and I’d seen all of the photographs, so what was so important about these museums. Hidden within the writing prompt for the assignment focused on Poland, I realized what about the museums that I was meant to learn. It doesn’t matter what history the museums exhibit; What matters most is how they present that history and claim it as their own. This is a bigger lesson than just in museums, but also in life. In my own life, I have been affected by things in and out of my control. What’s done is done, and I can’t go back in time to change it. But what I can do is own my story, and remember it as I go through life. Acknowledge it, and learn from it. 

In Poland, I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum. Schindler’s Factory is a very well-done museum because it includes many artifacts, primary sources, and rooms that took me back to Krakow, Poland in the World War II era. Contrary to the name of the museum, it is not predominantly about Oskar Schindler and his role during the war. It is locally owned and operated, therefore it focuses on what life was like for the residents of Krakow from the 1920s, through the German-occupation, and then liberation. The museum begins by telling visitors that Poland never gave up, and that She continued to fight the Axis powers until liberation. The Poles of Krakow resisted their occupiers and the war by operating underground resistance groups that sabotaged railways, continued to provide education for students, and smuggled food in and out of the city. The museum openly confirmed that during this period, there were Poles who supported the German-occupation, the Nazi Regime, and therefore, contributed to the mass murder of Jews, especially the Polish-Jews who at one time, had been their family, friends, and neighbors. 

I am still impressed by this museum’s honesty and recognition of the Polish past. They could have chosen to only focus on the side of history with the Polish people as the victims. Instead, they included the narrative where many of the Polish people were perpetrators. Some of the exhibits are hard to grapple with, and many of them made me uncomfortable, as they are meant to. Also, I learned why history is often uncomfortable, and it is this discomfort that a person feels that facilitates the need for remembrance. Without remembrance, history can and will repeat itself. 

My second goal that I set for myself in this program was to understand why specific World War II events are important in history, and how they connect to the world today. I met this goal by not only learning why they were important 80 years ago, but who they were, and still are, important to. In London, the WWII museums emphasized that the war was the people’s war because of how influential the war became on the daily lives of people around the world. Many families fled for safer countries, while many others stayed. Some were forbidden to leave while others were forbidden to stay. I have many close friends whose families settled in America because of World War II. These friends are philanthropists, student organization leaders, researchers, writers, mentors, and professors. All of them care so deeply for the world that we all live in, and are working tirelessly to make it a better place. If the history we know today had been only a little bit different during WWII, who knows how different today would be. History has a direct hand in what the present is, and the future will be. 

For my STEP Signature Project, I took part in the Between France and Morocco: Diversity in the Francophone World program. On this trip, we traveled to 5 destinations: Paris, Aix-en-Provence, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Casablanca. Traveling between these cities in these two countries, we learned about the culture and histories of each location and how they uniquely dealt with both historical and modern social issues. 

My STEP education abroad experience was instrumental in increasing my ability to navigate different situations as well as increasing my understanding of foreign places and cultures. Although I had surface-level knowledge of the culture and issues apparent in both France and Morocco, these were only based on secondhand information. The firsthand experiences and the interactions with people in both countries helped reshape my perspective on the realities of their lives and different ways of addressing social issues between cultures and societies. 

Overall, this experience taught me the importance of open-mindedness in dealing with unfamiliar cultures and historical contexts. It encouraged me to question depictions of other people that we see in both day-to-day life as well as of other countries. 

Several experiences during my STEP Signature Project contributed to this change in my understanding of myself and the world. I think that the lectures in conjunction with the walking tours and visits to the historical landmarks of France and Morocco really aided my understanding of these unique countries. I think that most people have heard of the beautiful architecture of the Notre Dame and other historical landmarks in France but I don’t think that as many have learned about the beauty of the intricate Andalusian architecture in Morocco. 

Another pivotal element that was important to my understanding of the cultures of these countries was the opportunities to explore the museums of the cities that we visited. In France, we visited the Musée du Quai Branly and the Louvre. It was interesting to compare the different ways that these museums dealt with the idea of a “universal” art museum and acknowledgments of non-Western art. On the other hand in Morocco, the Women’s Museum and the Judaisme Museum acknowledged two less talked about demographics who are important to the history of Morocco. I think being able to experience these museums was important because each one speaks to a society’s values and perspectives regarding the museum’s subject’s histories and cultures.

The last thing that aided my understanding of different cultural issues was our visits to the NGOs in Morocco. In Morocco, we visited various NGOs all aimed at helping vulnerable people, whether that be migrants, refugees, single women with children, or impoverished youth, find their way in Moroccan society. I think that the biggest benefit that I received from the privilege of being able to tour these facilities and speak with such accomplished people was getting to see the different ways that people banded together to acknowledge and engage with the most marginalized in society. 

Overall, I think that this trip was a valuable experience for mebecause it offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn and explore these two countries in a guided way. These experiences have enriched my perspective on cultural diversity and global interconnectedness and have inspired me to look for ways to advocate for others in my own community and recognize the need to look at global issues with greater empathy.

1. For my STEP project, I participated in the program called “Between France and Morocco: Diversity and Inclusion in the Francophone World”. The program was three-week study abroad in France and Morocco, where we visited six different cities: Paris, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Marrakech, Rabat, and Casablanca. The goal of the program was to learn about the shared histories of the two nations through its cultural, religious, racial, and national evolution through guest lectures, site visits, and immersion.

2. I had gone into this program with the assumption that the places we were going to did not like receiving tourists. In my family’s native country of Honduras, I am always told to hide my American identity because being an American there is dangerous. I had also heard from plenty of peers that they had bad experiences in France from rude locals who hated tourists. I quickly found out that these assumptions were incorrect, and that people can have wildly different experiences in the same cities, sometimes even on the same street. Interactions with locals can be a positive and welcoming experience depending on your approach.

3. During all my interactions with locals, I always spoke to them in their native language. Speaking to them in their native language opens up their hearts and will help you have more positive experiences. In Paris, I was always greeted warmly whenever I spoke French. I recall my first time going to a Parisian boulangerie, where I was super nervous. In my head I said about ten different ways to a viennoise because I did not want to mess it up. Once it was my turn, I greeted the baker and she greeted me back, and all went well. After that interaction, I felt a bit embarrassed about feeling so worked up over ordering something. She was a perfectly nice baker, why had I assumed that I would get treated more harshly if my French was not perfect? Later that night I decided to get a kebab from a kebab place. I was less nervous this time around. However, in the middle of ordering, he asked if I was from Latin America because I had an accent while speaking French. I was a bit bummed out about not being able to hide my accent, but the worker was super nice to me, and we chatted about football while my food was being prepared. My French was not perfect, but I felt at peace knowing that people will still treat me well even if it’s not perfect, as long as I do my best to speak. My experiences in cities outside of Paris were much more interesting, especially in Marseille, Marrakech, and Rabat. These cities are known for their bustling markets. The Marseillaise markets were mostly filled with food while the markets in Marrakech and Rabat sold souvenir like items until nighttime where food became abundant. The biggest difference between the Marseillaise markets and the Moroccan markets were the number of languages spoken by the vendors and customers. At the Marseillaise markets I heard upwards of ten languages being spoken by vendors, with the most bizarre language I heard being Basque. At the Moroccan markets I heard Arabic, English, French, and some Spanish, which is still a huge amount compared to any Markets we have in the U.S. No one at these markets was treated terribly for their lack of French or Arabic knowledge, but more so for their lack of negotiation skills (Being a good negotiator is essential for the Moroccan markets!). At these places, I felt like I fit in with ease. My assumptions about these places could not have been more wrong. It didn’t matter what language you spoke or where you came from, these cities made you feel at home.

4. Being a dual citizen, it is difficult for me to pin down what home is. I do not feel that I am completely Honduran even though I speak Spanish fluently and I’ve been there several times. I also do not feel that I am completely American because of the separate culture that I grew up in at home. Going to these cities has helped me feel more at peace with the idea that it’s okay to be both. During our classes, we read an article where we learned what it means to be a Marseillaise. It means accepting your multiple identities, your heritage, your languages, as one whole identity. A Marseillaise can be French-Algerian, Haitian, Moroccan, Syrian, it does not matter where you come from. You accept these identities to be Marseillaise, which means that even I could be Marseillaise. This is the style of life that I wish to live as I grapple with my multicultural way of life.

My STEP Signature Project was the European Model of Sport study abroad program. This was an 11-day seminar that took me through various European cities including Manchester, Liverpool, London, and Paris, where I attended lectures, toured sports facilities, and explored the cities.

This program helped broaden my understanding of sports management and marketing, specifically within Europe. I learned how the structure and management of sports in Europe differ from those in the U.S. This transformed my view of sports by highlighting the global nature of sports and the importance of cultural context in sports management.

During my STEP Signature Project, my experiences in Manchester, Liverpool, London, and Paris gave me a deeper appreciation for European sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket, transforming my understanding of international sports culture and management.

In Manchester, I explored the rich soccer history by visiting Old Trafford Stadium, home of Manchester United, and the Etihad Stadium and campus, where Manchester City plays. Touring these stadiums and hearing from the staff and tour guides gave me insights into the business side of soccer, like merchandising and sponsorships. While we didn’t get to watch a game live at either stadium, we were there during the biggest games, and the rivalry between the teams showed me how local sports rivalries fuel passionate sports cultures.

We took a day trip to Liverpool, where we got to tour Liverpool FC. While I didn’t get the tour of Anfield stadium like the rest of the group, I still learned a lot about the club’s outreach programs and how they support local youth through sports. The loyalty and tradition among the fans were clear, showing me how sports can foster a strong sense of community and pride.

While in London, we got a break from soccer and got to learn more about sports that are less popular in the United States. We visited Twickenham Stadium, home of English Rugby. I was able to gain insight into rugby’s history and its values of teamwork and sportsmanship. I then got to visit Lord’s Cricket Ground, which offered a glimpse into cricket’s traditions and evolving formats. We even got to learn how to play cricket and did some workshops which made learning about it more valuable. Additionally, we visited Wimbledon. Being able to experience the atmosphere of the iconic tennis tournament highlighted the global appeal and prestige of tennis as a sport. Each experience in London emphasized the unique aspects of these sports and their significance in British culture.

In Paris, visiting Parc des Princes, home of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was a highlight. I learned how PSG engages with its community and supporters, emphasizing the role of fan involvement in a successful sports team. Additionally, we got to visit Roland-Garros, the renowned venue for the French Open tennis tournament. This was my favorite place that we went to. We were able to watch the qualifiers and even got to see an Ohio State alumni play. It provided insight into the prestige and tradition of tennis in France.

These experiences across Europe deepened my understanding of soccer, rugby, cricket, and tennis. They underscored the importance of cultural context, community engagement, and how sports can shape a city’s identity. This exposure transformed my perspective on international sports and taught me valuable lessons about adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and the global nature of sports.

Becoming an Athletic Trainer is a dream that combines my passion for sports with a commitment to helping athletes perform at their best. Through my STEP Signature Project, exploring sports culture across Europe has significantly influenced how I see my future career.

My experiences in Europe have improved my ability to understand and work with athletes from diverse backgrounds. Recognizing the cultural differences in sports practices allows me to adapt an approach to better meet each athlete’s needs. Along with this, understanding the different sports in Europe that I wouldn’t get to experience in the United States, has broadened my options and allowed me to become more passionate about all kinds of sports.

I was also able to see healthcare in Europe firsthand, which made me even more passionate about the medicinal part of the Athletic Training field. Overall, this study abroad has deepened my passion for sports in general and equipped me with practical skills and global perspectives that will shape my future career.

For my STEP signature project, I decided to go on a study abroad trip through OSU to France and Morocco. The program’s name is, “Between France and Morocco: Diversity and Inclusion in the Francophone World.” The program’s main activities consisted of lectures with amazing guest lecturers, visits to well-known museums, such as the Louvre, visits to mosques, visits to Morrocan palaces, visits to well-known sites such as the Eiffel Tower, and delicious group dinners.

Immersing myself in both French and Moroccan cultures transformed me as it heightened my cultural awareness; interacting firsthand with locals from both countries with different backgrounds and experiences taught me to be more open-minded and showed me how important diversity is. In addition, this program made me realize how adaptable I am. While navigating through unfamiliar environments, such as figuring out the Parisian metro system, I further ameliorated and strengthened my adaptability skills. Furthermore, this program helped me grow as the enriching experience and great academic discussions/lectures changed my perspective on the world while also helping me step out of my comfort zone. My experiences during this program helped me become more self-reliant and resilient. 

Before the program, my understanding of Parisians, from what I would see online, was that they could be rude. However, my experience in Paris was far from that; all of the Parisians I met were kind and welcoming. In addition, I realized that Moroccan culture is rich, and multifaceted beyond its touristic representation seen online. Furthermore, the discussions we had helped me gain a deep understanding of the issues different societies have with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how they address these issues. As a public policy major, I enjoyed understanding how both countries address issues related to DEI. Visiting sites such as the Eiffel Tower and Moroccan markets and palaces deepened my understanding of how important it is to understand and preserve different cultures.

During the Paris portion of the program, we visited Islam prayer spaces and engaged with individuals about their experiences with Islam in a country where the French principle “laïcité” disproportionately affects Muslim communities. In France, the implementation of laïcité has resulted in islamophobic laws that marginalize the identities of Muslims. It is because of this law that Muslim women are not allowed to wear a hijab in public spaces including schools. Being able to directly speak to those who this problem affects was very eye-opening and helped me understand the importance of advocating for religious freedom and inclusivity in policy-making. In addition, visiting many historical and art museums, such as the Louvre was another eye-opening experience. Seeing the beautiful art, and then learning later through lectures and readings that much of it was stolen during colonial times was shocking. However, it deepened my understanding of the various issues colonized countries faced and the ongoing implications they faced, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation.  

In Morocco, we visited plenty of NGOs including one that housed single mothers called Association Solidarité Féminine (ASF). ASF primarily focuses on unmarried mothers, providing them with educational opportunities and training them in different skills such as cooking and sewing. The end goal is to reintegrate them and their children into society, empower the women to secure a stable job and help them gain independence. At ASF, I learned a lot about the societal struggles and stigmas Morrocan women face. Another NGO we visited, served as a refugee camp. At the camp, I had a deeply personal connection with an Ethiopian woman who shared her experiences as a refugee. As a first-generation Ethiopian American myself, our conversation reminded me of my family’s experiences as refugees. Speaking with her was like speaking to a younger version of my mother, who was also a refugee. My experiences at both NGOs further motivated me to advocate for marginalized groups through inclusive and informed policy-making. 

My interactions with other classmates and guest professors while abroad made me realize how important reading is. Everyone I talked to, including my classmates and guest professors were very educated and knowledgeable on various topics and subjects. When I asked them how they were all so knowledgeable about the topics we discussed, they all shared that reading is crucial. Before this program, I never willingly read books, but this experience opened my eyes to its importance. After the program ended, I made the effort to incorporate reading into my daily routine. Since I have gotten back, I have read three books; this newfound appreciation for reading will enhance my critical thinking skills and positively impact my academic growth and professional development.

The transformation I experienced throughout the program will have a great impact on me personally, professionally, and academically. Personally and professionally, this transformation has deepened my appreciation for human connections and the importance of cultural sensitivity. Engaging with people from different backgrounds has inspired me to advocate for vulnerable groups. In addition, my new appreciation for reading will enrich my knowledge, supporting me academically as a Buckeye and professionally as a future policy analyst. Academically, I gained more understanding of the importance of DEI; these insights are very important in public policy for developing policies that are reflective of the needs of all people and diverse populations. The lectures on various issues in both countries, such as islamophobia in France, and homophobia in Morocco have broadened my knowledge of the intersectional barriers individuals in both countries face because of policies that discriminate against them. The lectures and readings have ignited a passion for addressing social justice issues through public policy. My transformation through this program has equipped me with new skills and perspectives needed to meaningfully contribute to the field of public policy and to work towards a more equitable and inclusive world.