By Alison Calhoun and IU student participants from 2023-2024

During this academic year, I had the great pleasure to direct and orient fifteen IU students in Aix-en-Provence, France. Ten students made Aix their home and Aix-Marseille University their school for a semester, and five of them for the entire academic year. Our time abroad was filled with the unbelievably beautiful sites of the south of France, and with relative ease, students navigated the university system and integrated into the culture all while improving their French.

This year in Aix, many wonderful visitors stopped by the APA office to say hello, including seasoned Faculty director Kelly Sax, and alums Claudia Gonzalez-Diaz ('23 BA) and Claire Glezer ('14 BA).

I asked a few IU students to give us a sentence or two revealing what they learned about themselves during their time in Aix. Here’s how they responded:

“While living here in Aix, I learned just how resilient and adaptable I could be by welcoming the unknown and embracing being uncomfortable. You don't see self-growth without accepting those two ideas.”
-Elizabeth Lopez-Ruiz

“Throughout my time abroad, I learned valuable life lessons I never knew I needed. For instance, I came to grasp the concept of tolerance. While living with a French family, I learned to adapt quickly and embrace patience for myself and others. I am grateful for this newly discovered life skill that I can transfer to other areas of my life now that I am home.”
-Anna Limauro

“As cliché as it might sound, during my time in Aix, I found myself moving out of my comfort zone. On the Bloomington campus, I felt as if I was always following in someone else’s footsteps. But as I traversed my way around Aix and integrated into the French culture, I now can confidently say that I am able to put myself in any given situation and make the most of it.”
-Nanaka Onishi

“This past year, I learned that I am a much more adventurous and independent person than I realized. I’ve had the opportunity to try different activities that I’ve never done at home, like hiking and surfing, and I travelled alone to multiple countries.”
-Zarbria Thomas

“This semester, I’ve learned that I can thrive in France and at a French university alongside native speakers. I also discovered that I greatly enjoy travel planning and can successfully navigate other countries, even when I don’t know the language. Finally, thanks to the amazing friendships I’ve made in the program in Aix, I’ve realized that I can find a great community of friends wherever I go.”
-Anastasia Spahr

“I could go on and on about my experience in Aix, but the thing I want to highlight most is that I learned that I am CAPABLE! Getting on the plane to France was the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most empowering. After being here for almost half a year, I’ve never felt more confident in my ability to do the things that scare me. The payoff is always worth it.”
-Trevor Foster