Lydia Muentz is a senior studying chemistry, modern languages and French. Originally from Pleasanton, California, she traveled to France through NAU’s Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP) to dive into laboratory work and build lifelong connections.
Where did you study and why did you choose this particular country for your study abroad program?
Through IGP, I did a year of exchange at the University of Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France. I went to Bordeaux to get cultural and language immersion for my French major while also taking chemistry classes at the University of Bordeaux and completing a chemistry internship at the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Bordeaux (ICMCB).
What class(es) or research did you complete while abroad and for how long?
I took courses in analytical, inorganic, organometallic and coordination chemistry for one semester as well as French courses, a lab course and an art and science course. My second semester, I was part of a research project developing cyan, magenta and yellow pigments for electrophoretic inks at ICMCB for four months.
How did you fund your study abroad experience?
I have the gold tuition scholarship as a Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) student so I had that for the whole year. I saved up a decent amount of money the summer before I went abroad by working at a sandwich stop in my hometown. My parents also gave me money so I would be able to travel and make the most of my time in France. I was lucky because in my second semester, I was paid for my internship since I worked for four months and it is required by law in France to pay interns doing a full-time internship longer than two months. The pay was more than enough to cover my rent and also a lot of my food since my student housing was only 350 euros per month and my lunches from the university cafe were only 3.30 euros.
What expectations or preconceived notions did you have about your chosen country? How has your experience compared to those perceptions?
I think a lot of Americans know the stereotype that French people are mean and hate tourists, especially Americans. I was pretty nervous about whether or not people would be welcoming. In reality, the majority of French people I met were super nice and patient when I was struggling with the language. I do think the French are less outgoing than Americans on average, so it was a little difficult to make friends in my classes, but it wasn’t because they were mean or didn’t like me. They just aren’t as likely to go out of their way to introduce themselves to a stranger.
What was your language-learning process? Can you tell us about a humorous language-related situation you encountered?
My French was pretty good before going abroad, but I did take a French class both semesters I was there, which was not only good for practicing the language but also for meeting other exchange students. A funny language story I have is something that happened frequently where people would realize I was not French and gradually be surprised that I actually spoke French even though I told them I did. Once, I was shipping a package and needed help figuring out what to do. I asked for help in French, but I clearly have an accent, so an employee brought me to the kiosk and began to translate the questions for me. As I kept answering in French, he seemed surprised and said, “Oh, you speak French!” That made the process go a bit faster.
How has this study abroad experience influenced your personal, academic and career goals? Has it opened up new possibilities or changed your direction?
Studying abroad really gave me a great CV and a lot to work with for my applications to grad school. I got research experience abroad, which is great on its own, but probably the most beneficial part for applications was that I got a great reference. My internship directors were so nice to me, and my main supervisor wrote me a great recommendation for my grad school applications. I think my whole internship experience just solidified for me that lab work is what I enjoy and what I’m good at as well. It definitely built up my confidence. One of the most important things I got from studying abroad, though, was friendship. I met so many new people from so many different places and gained some lifelong friendships. I can travel to so many countries and have a friend who lives there to show me around now.
Tell us about your favorite—and least favorite—dish abroad.
I had a lot of great food abroad, and I definitely learned some new things that I like. Bordeaux and the surrounding area has great sweet pastries like chocolatines—the better way to say pain au chocolat—cannelés and dunes blanches. I also tried rillettes de canard for the first time at a wine tasting—because of course you have to visit the nearby wineries when you are in Bordeaux—which is almost like a duck paté but with the texture of shredded meat, and it was delicious. My least favorite dish was definitely blood sausage, or boudin noir. Definitely not for me.