Living in a different environment than what I’m used to, I find myself learning how to manage a bit of a balancing act. Through several instances,  I have learned the different tricks of managing a city such as honing the bus system and navigating the several streets.  If you are feeling apprehensive about living in a city area but still want to give it a go, I hope this blog will help settle some nerves you may feel. 

The city and its quirks take time to adjust!

On the second to last night of the program, some of my friends and I rented an Airbnb on the coast for a night as a way to spend a wholesome night reminiscing and mourning the end of a great experience. We laughed, we talked, we cried, we felt all the emotions possible.

Nantes was the perfect sized city for study abroad. Not as big and busy as Paris, but not small enough where you know every single person in town. It is the sixth biggest city in France, boasting a population of approximately 300,000 people.

The Loire-Atlantique is a region of France rich in culture, delicious food, and plenty of things to see and do. While it is so important to travel and explore other areas of France and different countries while abroad, make sure to reserve some time to explore the area around Nantes as well.

During my semester in Nantes, I definitely took advantage of the ability to easily travel. In Europe, buses, trains, and planes to other places (inside your country of choice or even internationally) are relatively cheap in comparison to U.S. prices. This means you can more feasibly spend time in other places and really make the most of your time abroad.

Here are some recommendations of weekend trips I took during this past semester:

Every time you enter a new culture, there are things that you will have to get used to, especially if you live there for a long time. These adjustments can be to little things, such as making sure to say Bonjour every time you enter a store or a restaurant, or not smiling at people as you walk through the streets. But, these adjustments can also be to bigger events and ways of life. For me, the biggest adjustment to life in France was getting used to the constant protests, also known as manifestations. Manifestations in France are a critical part of the culture.

Giving back to your community even while abroad is so important. It helps you learn new language skills, engage with locals, and make the community you’re living in a better place. IES Abroad can help you find these opportunities during your time abroad, but you can also find them yourself, too.