Agnoli, Allie

Allie Agnoli

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I had amazing French teachers in high school, and they made me want to continue the language in college. As my love for French language and culture grew, I knew my love for travel would combine perfectly in the form of study abroad. It was scary, but a goal and incredible opportunity that I wanted to work towards. My program, NC in Paris, is a bit different than other study abroad programs, and that's largely due to the Engagement in Paris component. With EIP, students choose from a few different options to directly get involved in the Parisian community and culture. I chose to complete 30 hours of volunteer work, which allowed me to indulge my interests nonprofit work while also speaking with everyday French people. No other program had something quite like this, and the prospect excited me!

What did you learn about yourself?
I learned so much about myself and developed such a deeper sense of independence during these four months! Most importantly, I learned to be more spontaneous when it came to different opportunities for experiences that were presented to me. I learned to say "yes" to that trip or to that show, and my overall experience was ten times better because of it. Now, back home, I won't hesitate as much before I say "yes" to what could be an amazing adventure!

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite memories from my time abroad was when my friend -- who was studying abroad in Montpellier with the UNC program -- came to visit me in Paris for a weekend in early March. That same weekend happened to be when UNC and Duke basketball played one another, and my friend and I found a bar to watch it at late into the night. When we won and everyone back in Chapel Hill was rushing Franklin Street, we decided to rush the Notre Dame, which was down the street from where we watched the game. It was so silly but so much fun, and I loved being able to connect back to UNC even though we were a continent away.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Similar to what I learned about myself during this experience, I think a big piece of advice I can give is to put yourself out there and explore the community you're in, as well as finding your people in that community. It's really scary at first, but going to different events in your host city will make your experience so much richer! For example, a couple people in my program and I went to movie showings by a group that screened French movies with English subtitles; that's how I met two English-speakers in Paris that weren't even a part of my program. Another option is trivia nights -- there are plenty of bars with English trivia nights that are so fun! Not only does this allow you to go out and socialize in the city, but it also helps you find other people that speak your language when things can feel overwhelming. Don't neglect culture/city-specific events though; those can be so cool and unique to engage with.

How do you identify?
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Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
There were multiple instances in which I was going back to my host family's house in the suburbs of Paris at night and I was approached by men and had to circumvent the situation. Luckily they weren't violent in any way, but I have no doubt that there are much worse scenarios out there. It can be difficult, too, when you live in an area where you can't really buddy up and have to travel alone. I'm sure many women have had similar experiences, but it's something to be cautious of when studying abroad.

Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?
Especially in larger cities, women often need to take extra precautions and be even more aware of their surroundings. If you're sharing a homestay or dorm with others in your program, be sure to travel home with them at night. If you're in a situation where you have to go home alone, keep your head down and keep walking while also being aware of what/who is around you. Unlike in the US, I would actually recommend NOT calling someone and have them on the phone, especially if you're in a non-English speaking country. If locals hear you speaking English, they may see that as a vulnerability/opportunity to take advantage of you (this can happen a lot with pickpockets too).

Memories