Amber Deshaies

Amber Deshaies participated in the 2022 Study Abroad in Europe, including Munich, Berlin and Paris.

A Conversation with Amber

Why did you decide to study abroad?

I chose to go on this program for various reasons. To me, this experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To travel and study in Europe at such a young age is an amazing opportunity to broaden my understanding of other cultures and the history of these countries. I felt that this program could help me understand others and prepare me for a career where I can help and meet people from all different backgrounds. When I applied to this program, I thought of becoming a travel nurse, which is still possible. Traveling abroad for the first time gave me a taste of being in a new area with new people. Overall, it was an experience I couldn’t pass up and I will cherish the memories I made forever.

What did you find to be surprising about your study abroad experiences?

I was genuinely surprised by the number of bikes I saw. Europe is extremely accessible to cyclists. It seems like driving isn't necessarily the norm like it is here in the U.S. The roads seemed small, and I don't think I'd ever be comfortable driving there. I was also surprised that water is not very normalized there either. When I tried ordering water, they only served mineral water. This was a culture shock for myself and my friends.

What was your favorite part about study abroad?

The Eiffel Tower was my favorite part about visiting overseas. On our last night in Paris, some friends and I visited the Eiffel Tower and climbed to the second story! Being directly under the Eiffel Tower felt surreal and being inside was even more thrilling. I had never heard of restaurants and shops inside the Eiffel Tower, so I was surprised to see a fully stocked bar and pizza restaurant on the first floor. I couldn't believe I’d never heard of this.

How might you use the experiences and knowledge you gained during study abroad?

I intend to use this experience and everything I learned to help me see new perspectives. My perspective on WWII changed during our visits to Dachau Concentration Camp and Omaha Beach. I feel I have a deeper understanding of what occurred in these locations, and it was a reminder of how different things could be for myself, my family, my peers and my instructors. I also hope to use this experience as a reminder of being outside of my comfort zone and how I can step out of my comfort zone in the future.

What advice do you have for students thinking about study abroad?

My advice to students who are going to study abroad is to research! I regret not doing my research before we left. My friends and I could have decided on and found restaurants so much easier if we had looked at the restaurants’ websites beforehand. I recommend researching restaurants and the closest corner store for anything you may have forgotten. I would even look up different foods that look good and their names to better prepare for ordering at a restaurant. Almost none of the menus had pictures to go with them.