My study abroad experience in Tours, France was extraordinarily valuable. During my academic year in the MSU exchange program at the University of Tours, I learned French, had exciting adventures, explored my religious values all as a Gilman Scholar.

The ease of the French classes and the kindness of the professors helped my success despite any anxiety I felt about the University of Tours building compared to our beautiful MSU. The courses were paper heavy, but they certainly gave me practical language skills.

I lived in the Tanneurs student apartments next to the university which made my studies much more relaxing, and safe. So, when it was time to change classes to say, the Tandem sessions where I met French speaking students for conversation, it was easy to run home during the time in between.

This exchange was my first time out of the United States and many other firsts indeed. Each time I flew between Europe, the U.S., and Africa was a leap of courage, having never flown before. I rode metros, subways, trams, and trains for the very first time, too! The beach, star-gazing events, and new restaurants were all places I traveled alone and practiced speaking French with individuals I’ll never forget—all firsts for me. I also visited my favorite fashion brand, Chloé, for the first time and studied their sustainability during my free time. Even upon arriving in France, I met my first international friend in their home country who drove me three hours from Paris to Tours on the spaghetti-like, swirly, roads and past picturesque castles I only dreamt of seeing.

All the new things I experienced were not without great anxiety, which is one reason that inspired me to explore and enhance my religious practice. Furthermore, France hosts Catholics, Protestants, and their breathtaking cathedrals and churches, yes, but it appeared in our younger generation where a lack of religion prevails. I was unsure of my position about things on which the French students spent most of their protests, group meetings, and city signage. Feeling lonely, I read in depth the French Bible and prayed in different cathedrals even during protests for “la retraite” (retirement) that raged on and cancelled classes. I also took part in my first mass and joined the church choir before Christmas, which I spent with the church despite losing courage to sing on stage.

Learning the beautiful city of Tours, shopping in Paris, and holidaying in Morocco would not have been possible for me without the help of the Gilman Scholarship. The Office of Education Abroad shared the scholarship and its benefits that could potentially support my exchange. After having been awarded this scholarship, I gained valuable writing skills through the writing center and had less financial burden and more fun during my French studies.

Finally, I got to share about it with other students during the Education Abroad Expo, Gilman Scholarship information webinar and in French club.

Name: Destiny Washington
Status: Senior
Major: Environmental Studies and Sustainability
Hometown: East Lansing, Michigan
Program: University of Tours in France