Found in France
Ohio Wesleyan Student Spends Semester in Cannes, Growing Academically and Personally
Name: Abigail Colbow '27
Hometown: Mentor, Ohio
High School: Homeschooled
Majors: Biology and French
Minors: Theatre
OWU Connection Experience:
Colbow spent fall semester studying abroad in Cannes, France, through the AIFS Abroad program. She studied at the College International de Cannes and took courses in French, Art History, and Cinema.
At OWU, it was very easy to find a program where I could live in France with a family and study both the language and culture.
Why This Experience?
"I grew up learning French with my mother and knew I wanted to study abroad someday. At OWU, it was very easy to find a program where I could live in France with a family and study both the language and culture. This experience has been a chance to improve my language skills, travel around Europe, and push myself out of my comfort zone."
My Favorite Moments
"Although I had many incredible experiences abroad, one that stands out was my fall break trip to Amsterdam, Prague, and Vienna. Before this semester, I had never visited Europe, and I expected I would stay in France, as traveling felt too intimidating. But another girl in my program invited me to join her on a 10-day trip during our congé (fall break), and I found that I actually wanted to go!
"We both enjoy museums, art history, and exploring cities, and planned our perfect trip. We found an inexpensive train route and were able to visit Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic."
'A Huge Boost in Confidence'
"Before this semester, I never could have imagined traveling to places where I did not know the language or anything about the culture. It was not what one would consider a 'relaxing trip,' and we had to deal with our share of challenges along the way, including late and missed trains, buying cold medicine, and finding a place to do laundry. But I never could have imagined how incredible it would be to see these places.
"In Amsterdam, we visited the Van Gogh museum and ate stroopwafels as we explored the markets. In Prague, we visited the Jewish Quarter and learned about how historical religious conflicts impact culture today. We spent a very long day in Vienna, seeing as much artwork as we could at museums across the city, and finished off with a half-day admiring the incredible architecture of Salzburg.
"This experience gave me a huge boost in confidence for travel, and helped me see that the world is an even more diverse and fascinating place than I could have imagined. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to travel, and I feel confident that I will be able to plan my own trips in the future, to see more of the world."
Lessons Learned
"A transformational moment occurred halfway through the semester, when I decided to visit the local médiatheque (library) on a rainy day. Although I have studied French for nearly 10 years, most of what I had read was either novel excerpts for class or children's books with simple, clear language. I picked up a graphic novel, hoping that the pictures could help me understand what was written. But to my surprise, as I sat there with a non-fiction, adult, graphic novel, I found that I not only followed the text, but could mentally engage with it in French!
"My ability to understand the language had grown to the point where I could learn about the subjects that interest me while exposing myself to new vocabulary. I returned to the library every free afternoon until I had finished the book, which was about the origins of the French language and its influence on other languages, including English. The book prompted me to research not only the language I was learning, but the language I had spoken my entire life.
"Having a better understanding of where our words come from and how their usage changes over time inspired me to continue improving my French and someday study other languages. The words we use have a huge impact on our worldview, and the ability to speak multiple languages unlocks new understanding of the things we take for granted."
My Campus Involvements
On campus, Colbow is a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and the Cercle Français club. She also has assisted with multiple productions put on by Ohio Wesleyan's theatre program and lives in the Interfaith House, one of OWU's themed small living units.
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"Ohio Wesleyan is a community with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, where each student is encouraged to pursue their interests through academics and extracurriculars. As someone with a variety of interests, this was the perfect place for me to study science while maintaining my involvement in theatre. When I found the Global Scholars program, I knew I wanted to take the opportunity to study abroad during my time in college, and OWU has wonderful support for this. The faculty and programs at Ohio Wesleyan have allowed me to see the possibilities for my life after college as I continue to pursue my passions."
My Plans After Graduation
"I came to OWU to study Biology, while staying engaged with my other interests such as writing, theatre, and travel. After graduation, I plan to work in science communication, ideally at a park or natural history museum. I love learning about the natural world, and I believe that to protect habitats and ecosystems, we must create a generation of young people who feel connected, interested, and passionate about the outdoors. Although I came in as a Biology major, I eventually added a French major and a Theatre minor to better fit the skills I wished to build.
"Although my understanding of science is crucial for the fields in which I intend to work, I believe that equally important is my ability to communicate with confidence and empathy. In theatre, I have performed onstage, helping me build confidence in my voice and identity. I have also found a love for working backstage as an assistant stage manager in two musical productions, 'Absolute Zero' and 'The Spitfire Grill.' This role required clear communication of expectations, organizational skills, and commitment to the production.
"I have also built communication skills through my French classes, where students read texts, study grammar and vocabulary, and present projects in class. This has allowed me to present and review information in creative ways, such as games, challenges, and worksheets, and find ways that help other students stay engaged. I plan to use these skills in my future career as I help people understand the science of the world around us and why it is crucial to preserve."