Gabby Bunnell is double majoring in Environmental Sciences & Policy and Psychology with a minor in French Studies. She graduates in 2021. The summer after her freshman year she studied abroad with Duke in Paris.
On how her ideas/perceptions changed as a result of doing this program...
“It was definitely an extremely immersive experience and many of my perceptions about life in Paris changed as a result of the program. I had previously visited Paris twice, for short stints, and had found the city very overwhelming. When I stayed for six weeks, however, I began to feel much more comfortable in the busy atmosphere. I even felt at home on the metro which I rode to class every morning. So, my biggest perspective shift came from viewing Paris as not just a bustling, iconic city but as a home.”
On why she decided to do this program...
“I decided to do this program because in high school I’d done an abroad/homestay exchange in Strasbourg and it totally changed my French skills. I knew that six weeks in Paris would improve my French even more, putting me in a great place to continue my french studies throughout college.”
On how her skills/knowledge changed thanks to the program...
“My French skills definitely increased as a result of the program. I lived in a homestay with a woman in her eighties, and our nightly dinners lasted for an hour-and-a-half. Naturally, as we ate, we spoke in French so my conversational ability rapidly improved, as did my knowledge of French culture. My host mom told incredible stories. Once she told me about how she fled Paris during World War II. I’ll always carry that with me.”
On what surprised her or turned out differently than she’d expected...
“I was surprised by how close my group became. There were only eight students in the program, and after class every day we explored the city together. We visited Versailles on the weekend, met up at the Eiffel tower after dinner with our host families, and took several sunny park naps simultaneously. I had so much fun getting to know everyone!”
On how this program will affect her career interests or next steps after graduation...
“It's been almost a year since Duke in Paris, and I find myself missing France more and more. The program experiences will definitely lead me back to Paris someday. And while I'm not going abroad in the fall, I can definitely see myself looking for opportunities abroad after graduation.”
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