I’ll never forget my experience of studying abroad and living in France's ‘pink city.’ I’ll remember my time abroad as those nostalgic halcyon days of the past when I had to explore and adventure into unfamiliar streets and stores. Utilizing the duality of my bilingualism in English and Spanish, I remember being shy because I did not speak French. Yet, the language never hindered my integration into school life or Toulouse, France. 

Why Study Abroad? 

As a student majoring in Global Development, I've come to appreciate the opportunity to study abroad. It's not just about learning new skills or acquiring new knowledge but about developing a global perspective and understanding the impact of our social identities in different societies. My study abroad experience was a testament to this, as it allowed me to apply the knowledge, I gained from GDEV 2105- Critical Global Citizenship: Preparing for Ethical Engagement and to truly understand my position in society through the lens of my host country. 

Why PURPAN? 

Ecole d’Ingenieurs de PURPAN, commonly known as PURPAN, was where I studied during my education abroad. PURPAN is one of three schools in France where the university curriculum specializes in agriculture, food, and environmental sciences. Given my interests in agriculture and development work, I was fascinated to learn about these topics from a different perspective, which PURPAN’s Global Semester allowed me to do. The program I enrolled in focused on global issues centered around agriculture. The unique aspect of this program is that it involves the participation of fourth-year French and international students alike, which I found to be meaningful in helping develop connections and community with my classmates. The class that I enjoyed the most was Gender and Global Issues. Learning about “Gender Transformative Approaches” in agricultural development practices and the requirements and distinctions of this development work compared to other approaches was insightful.

Exploring Toulouse and Southern France 

Toulouse, known as the 'pink city,' is a vibrant place with its buildings adorned in orange-pink bricks and tiles. The city comes alive during sunset, with everyone gathering around the Garonne (similar to the Slope). It's a city where college students comprise a significant population, creating a young, bubbly, and diverse atmosphere. The city’s Erasmus program offers an excellent opportunity to meet other international students through weekly events and activities, such as the Language Cafe on Tuesdays or end-of-the-month social get-togethers. 

Interestingly, the southern region of Occitanie offers a one euro train ticket every first weekend of the month, and all the museums are free on the first Sunday of every month. An hour's train ride takes you to Carcassonne, where you can visit an actual castle or Albi to see the world's largest brick cathedral. If you are interested in exploring other countries, you can also take a Flixbus to Barcelona for 5 hours or, on the other side of Spain, to San Sebastian for 5 hours. 

Advice 

Do not let language impede studying abroad. As I mentioned, I do not speak French, but this did not hinder my pursuit of studying abroad in France. Learn from this experience and try to understand the positionality you have when you can speak the language and when you do not know the language. 

As a first-generation low-income Mexican-American student from San Diego, California, my younger self would have never considered the possibility of traveling to Europe, let alone studying in France. I felt nervous about everything: making friends, school, cooking, language, etc. Let me tell you - it’ll all be okay; go for it. 

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