In the weeks leading up to my trip to Bordeaux, I pondered what I wanted in terms of social connections while abroad. I knew that it was necessary to make friends in my California program – in order to travel and share experiences about school – but I knew that I wanted to make local French friends as well to help me with the language and getting to know the city. Now I just had my second week in Bordeaux, and I had the great experience to be able to make some valuable connections of both types.
On our UCEAP orientation day, I was introduced to everyone in the California program for the spring semester. It was obvious that the students were eager to meet one another and excited about forging friendships. I had the opportunity to meet people from a variety of universities all over California and it was refreshing to encounter new individuals after having been at UCSB for the last few years. I was quick to find out that I shared many of the same goals and interests with many of the students. Many of us had a great desire to improve our French (of course) and just an innate fascination for traveling and foreign countries.
The group of people I felt most comfortable being around consisted of students from UCSB, UCB, UCR, and UCI. The day after orientation, we got together to get our monthly bus passes, sim cards, and other items that we needed that could not be brought from California. Although we were just running errands with one another, it was a great bonding experience for all of us. We seemed to be going through very similar experiences in terms of cultures shock and becoming assimilated, and although these may have been difficult at first, having new friends with the exact same ordeals made these moments even more valuable.
As for making French friends, I had the opportunity to meet Yonah and Quentin, who are also students at the University of Bordeaux. They voluntarily picked me up to take me to the orientation on the first day of the program. They were eager to meet American students and their enthusiasm for the American culture made it easy for us to find common ground. It was an natural exchange of culture and interests, and through them, I have been able to practice speaking French outside of the classroom and meet other French students as well.
The task of meeting others while abroad made me a little anxious about the start of my program, but just by being here a couple weeks, I learned how easy it can be when you find those who have similar motivations. Now moving forward, I’m even more eager to branch out, knowing that I have a solid group with whom to take on this great adventure.
Picnic in the park. 
Yonah and Quentin invited us over! 
Katelyn – we go to the same university back home, but are just meeting each other now.
Matt en France 