Hello! My name is Isa Watkins and I spent my first semester abroad studying in Antibes, France. While I was there, I got to immerse myself in the culture, history, and customs while the days passed on the Mediterranean. My apartment was shared with three other girls from Mines as a cohort of about twenty-five in total traveled in this program. I cannot recommend traveling with a group enough (FYSAE especially if you’re looking into Mines as a first-year), the friendships I made in this trip are integral to the growth I experienced whilst abroad.

A large portion of what made this trip so memorable was the amazing host agency, CEA. Their team in Antibes helped the transition from America to France go as smoothly as possible and I was astounded by their warmth and kindness toward the complete strangers they took in. I was able to immediately feel at home in a country that was entirely foreign to me thanks to their acclimation assistance and orientation. Beyond the first few days of settling in and learning how to get to school, where to shop, and common French phrases vital to everyday life, CEA hosted several excursions where they took us to parts of France I never would have thought to look for. My favorite excursion was an overnight trip where we visited Avignon, Pont du gard, and one of the most famous cathedrals in France. When we stayed overnight, they put us all up in a beautiful hotel that the Pope himself had stayed at! T was called the Pope’s palace, if memory serves, and it was located in the heart of the city not even a block from the beautiful church. When we were able to tour the church, it was honestly more akin to a sprawling castle. The intricate and ancient artwork was incredible and CEA did an amazon job of delving into the history.

As charming as my visit to France was, I would be lying to say there weren’t set setbacks. Some of the best advice I could give myself if I were allotted a time machine, would be don’t worry about the little things and never take a moment for granted. Easier said than done when you’re staring down one of the most intimidating aspects of a foreign world: self-checkout machines with a different system and language. I can laugh easily now at my tussles with the automated robots, but at the time they felt life or death. Additionally, I would encourage myself to take advantage of every resource offered. The teachers, staff, CEA advisors, graduate advisors, and Mines team are all there to help you so don’t discount their advice! Even if it is miraculously smooth sailing, I guarantee they are versed first-hand in something you have never even thought of. For example, my CEA coordinator was fluent in five languages, ahd lived in several counties and was even in Germany when the wall was torn down. Her stories were fascinating, inspiring, and educational in a way you can’t achieve in a classroom.

When it comes down to it, I am glad I went because it made me live. I have never feared hard work, but experiences intimidated me and I had a fraction of the courage, tenacity, and excitement for life that I now possess. I feel I was able to grow my worldview right alongside my personal strengths and can’t begin to capture my gratitude for the opportunity as well as the people who aided me in achieving it.