Category: Abigail in Rennes

Keeping in touch

Published on by Abigail Hopper1 Comment

One of the biggest topics of discussion I’ve found between my peers and I has been how we are staying in touch while abroad. It’s unlikely that communication with friends and family will be as regular as a normal semester, which can be both fulfilling and a little overwhelming. Navigating that balance is part of the experience: being present in this new environment while still keeping ties to home. Here are some of the best ways I’ve found to maintain that balance and stay connected with loved ones.

#1 – Personal ‘Newsletter‘

Okay this one is fun. I can’t take credit for the idea, but I’ve started sending out my own personal “newsletter” to friends and family back home. It’s a cute, easy way to keep everyone updated without feeling like I’m repeating myself over and over. Plus, it’s way more fun than a typical text or call.

I include little sections, like “Gratitudes,” “Recaps,” and even a “Person of the Week.” One of my favorite parts is spotlighting things that are coming up as well as things that I’ve been grateful for. Some friends back home have even started doing their own newsletters, and it feels like a fun little exchange—we’re still keeping our connection alive, but in a creative way that is conducive to our busy schedules..

Creating these newsletters is also a great way to decompress and process what’s going on. It’s a nice break to just sit down, reflect, and craft something fun to share.

#2 – Journal

This one is a bit more personal, but it’s been incredibly valuable. In addition to keeping a personal journal, I’ve started a dedicated “study abroad journal,” which I try to write in daily. Some days are full of detailed entries about what I saw, who I met, and what surprised me, but on other days, it’s just a sentence or two. I’ve found that it’s okay to let the journal evolve naturally.

What’s great about journaling is that it’s a low-pressure way to stay grounded. It’s a private space where you can work through homesickness, excitement, and all the emotions that come with living in a new place. I also like that it’s a tangible memory of my experience. At the end of my study abroad, I’ll have this physical object full of my thoughts, sketches, tickets, and little memories that I can keep forever.

My girlfriend, who is abroad in Tanzania, is keeping her own journal. Our plan is to swap them at the end of our programs as a way of sharing experiences we didn’t get to text about. It feels like a really special way to stay connected while also giving ourselves time to fully live in our respective experiences.

#3- Blogging

While not everyone is officially blogging for DU, I actually think that regardless documenting your experience in the form of shareable posts is a really good tool. Writing entries helps you to pause, reflect on your week, and share your stories with others. It’s similar to journaling in that you’re curating a digital journal, but with an audience in mind. It’s helpful to commit to a schedule—whether that’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly—because at least for me it’s helped to hold me accountable. Plus, having a shareable link means family and friends can easily keep up with your life without you needing to give constant updates.

For me, writing blog posts has been so helpful and a really thoughtful exercise. It’s about capturing small, moments that really make the study abroad experience special and sharing them in a format I can be proud of. The topics could be things as simple as a new local bakery or a conversation in broken French that somehow brought me closer to understanding the culture here. These little details are the things that my blog helps me hold on to.

Thanks for reading!!

Finding Joy in the Unknown

Published on by Abigail HopperLeave a comment

“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” — Oscar Wilde

Though there have been regular moments of homesickness, exhaustion, and overwhelm, I can confidently say that most of my anxieties about coming abroad have been matched by the most rewarding experiences I could’ve hoped for. From scavenger hunts to picnics to a weekend trip to the beach, in just two weeks I’ve already begun to settle and make so many new connections. I decided to share some of the biggest fears that have arisen, and then the actual outcome below.

Fear #1: an unfamiliar environment

Outcome: In the past 14 days I have derived an incomparable amount of joy from the newness and charm of the environment around me. Every new corner is a new coffee shop, a new bar, a new park. And while exploring with others is fun, I’ve found that taking myself out to just walk for blocks and blocks and be able to go on a whim to anywhere I’d like has been so rewarding.

The second day of my arrival I walked about a mile and a half to a guitar store where I spoke “franglish” with a very kind owner, and was able to go home with a new guitar. Then the next day I was so anxious to ask for help in a grocery store, but was greeted with kindness and patience.

Each new place I’ve found, however uncomfortable, has brought a new fulfilling aspect to my day and I cannot wait to see what else Rennes has in store!

Fear #2: starting my program alone

Outcome: If I could go back and choose to attend a program with more of my peers from home, I would not. Not because I do not adore and miss my home friends, but I’ve found that from a group of 60 people who all are in the same boat and from 55 different countries, the most rewarding and surprising connections have arisen. There was a moment when around 30-40 of us were sitting around a huge table at La Bonne Nouvelle (a local bar) and there were dozens of conversations occurring between people from so many different places in the world, where I realized the magic of this program. I’ve watched open minds lead to agreements and opinion changes. I’ve seen connections between people who live on completely opposite sides of the earth, I’ve seen compassion. And I have never felt so quickly welcomed into a space. I truly believe that this is the best program I could’ve chosen.

Fear #3: speaking French

Outcome: In the days before my actual orientation, I was on my own exploring and hadn’t actually practiced speaking French since first semester of sophomore year, so I was definitely quite a bit rusty. And, as expected, conversational French is very different than grammar exercises and Duolingo prompts. However, to my surprise, I’ve been met with so much patience in practicing my French. In quick interactions I have had waiters not even bat an eye at my French or if they do switch to English they will return to French and allow me to continue practicing. I imagine the speed of a smaller city compared to Paris is more suitable for interactions like this, and there are also thousands of international students who come here annually and this has been very apparent in these interactions. Then, during my orientation, I had 3 full days of 8-5 intensive immersive language courses. By the end of the third day, though exhausted, I was understanding full classes which were conducted entirely in French and could already see growth in my pronunciation and vocabulary. Most of my classes this semester will be in English, but I’m incredibly excited to keep improving my French!

This upcoming week is my official first week of classes(eek!!) and this weekend a few of my new friends and I are planning a trip to Paris where I will get to see a few familiar faces 🙂

Thank you for reading!!