During Spring 2005, I studied abroad for five months in Montpellier, France, through a program offered by the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center, which is affiliated with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s (UIUC) Study Abroad Center (SAO).

It was hard to decide to spend my last semester of college in a foreign country where I barely spoke the language, but I ultimately went ahead with the decision because ever since studying French in high school, I’ve always wanted to study abroad but never had the opportunity. And although I practically forgot all my French in college, I did not forget about that dream of studying abroad. So I figured what-the-heck, might as well step outside of my comfort zone, learn another language and more about myself, and made my dream come true!

Looking back, these 5 months have been one of my most memorable experiences in college. Even though neither words nor pictures will be able to do justice to the eye-opening experiences I had abroad, I hope I will be able to give you at least a peek into my life abroad in southern France. And for those of you who are thinking about studying abroad, don’t hesitate any longer, just go for it! Trust me, you won’t regret it!

-Jean Q. He, June 2005

Questions? Comments? Email me at jeanhe at illinoisalumni dot org.