PSAs Studying Abroad

Follow along as these Worcester State University students travel the world and share their unique study abroad experience.

This blog details the experiences of Remy Mabboux during his semester studying abroad in France. Remy Mabboux is a sophomore Political Science major, active student leader, and a member of the Presidential Student Ambassadors. Remy is studying abroad in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a suburb located around 30 minutes west of Paris, at a school called Sciences Po. This blog will be a reflection on his experiences, observations, and reflections of his time in France, and will show what kinds of activities France might offer, what the benefits of studying abroad are, and how studying abroad can help a person’s educational and personal growth.

Jan. 16, 2025

Exploring What France has to offer

Hello everyone! My name is Remy Mabboux, and I am studying abroad in France this semester! Despite the nervousness of being an entire ocean away from my family and friends, I am excited to explore what France has to offer and challenge myself through meeting new people from many different corners of the world.

Jan. 20, 2025

Week one visit to Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle

It has now been about a week since I arrived in France, and I think I have adjusted pretty well. I was able to go and visit the city and meet all the other incoming international students. It is a great feeling getting to meet so many new people from all over the world, such as Brazil, Guatemala, China, Spain, and, of course, the US!

Jan. 27, 2025

A perfect night to view the Eiffel Tower

Greetings! It’s been a few weeks now that I’ve been living in France! So far, it hasn’t been too bad. The first two weeks of classes have gone by, and none of my classes seem to be too crazy (except for one). Since I can speak, read, and write French fluently, I have the opportunity to take classes in French, with all the other national student

Jan 31, 2025

Exploring Paris’ galleries, historic buildings and the Petit Palais

What’s up everyone! Tuesday was another riveting day of exploring Paris. This time, me and some international students decided to go and look at the Galeries Lafayette (named after General Lafayette, a French general who fought in the American Revolution). This place, despite the fancy sounding name, is a mall. But, it’s a very fancy mall! It is chock full of designer clothes, luxury perfumes, and high-class pastries and restaurants. I

Feb 3, 2025

Lost in Luxury: Exploring the Majesty of Versailles

This is it, the dramatic finale to my four day long Paris excursion! And of course, I’ve saved the best for last: Versailles! The Palace of Versailles was one of, if not the top place that I wanted to visit in France. Considering that, it may come as a surprise to you all that I have actually been there before.

Feb 10, 2025

One month down! Checking out the Jardins de Luxembourg

Hello again! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed my last post. It's been quite a packed week for me, so I’ve got a lot to catch you all up on. Unlike most of my last posts, this time, I decided to go into Paris solo.

Feb 13, 2025

Where Heroes are Buried: Admiring the Pathéon

Greetings again! I bet you've all been itching to hear what I’ve got in store for this post. Well, it's none other than the Panthéon! This colossal building, very reminiscent of greco-roman architecture, with its large pillars supporting a triangular front and its semicircle dome at the top is a sight to behold.

Feb 16, 2025

Six Churches in One Day! Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, and More

Welcome back! I hope you’ve all been at the edge of your seats waiting for what I did on Thursday. Well, here’s something you should know about me: I LOVE churches. Though I’m not particularly religious, there’s just something irresistibly beautiful about a nice Catholic church.

Feb 21, 2025

Beyond Paris: Ski Trip in the Alps

Hello everybody! You all may be wondering from looking at the pictures: where am I? It's too sunny and mountainous to be Paris. Plus, there’s snow everywhere! Well, dear viewer, you would be correct in your hypothesis. I am no longer in Paris.

Feb 23, 2025

Discovering Sybelle: a Colossal Ski Station

Hello again! Hot off the heels of my ski trip to Chamrousse (literally the next day), it was off to another ski station, called Sybelle. This time, it was further into the Alps, with the drive taking about an hour and a half. Me and my father had coordinated with a family friend to meet at their mountain cottage and have him show me the station.

Feb 28, 2025

The Biggest Ski Station in the World: Les Trois Vallées

Greetings everyone! The hotly anticipated conclusion to my ski trip is here! This time, it was to Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys), which just so happens to be not only the largest ski station in France, but the entire world!

Mar 10, 2025

Slowing Down: Insights into School & Classes

Welcome back! Now, you may be expecting more high-octane, never-before-seen material for this post. Unfortunately, that's not the case, since I’ve been quite sick and forced to stay in my apartment. Thus, I decided to make this post about some of the more mundane aspects of studying abroad, such as the campus life, classes, and other such things.

Mar 19, 2025

Getting back into it: Exploring the Louvre

Hello again! It's been quite a while, but I finally feel like myself again. To celebrate, I finally decided to tackle the Louvre. To be honest, the Louvre always intimidated me, since it was so humongous. Thankfully, I had a friend: Antione, a French student from Sciences Po who studied at Worcester State last year to show me the way.

Mar 31, 2025

Opéra Garnier: An insight into the history of French theater

Greetings yet again! I hope you all haven't been too worried about my lack of posting. It's nearing the end of the semester, so final projects and exams are coming up, which is taking up a bit more of my time. Thankfully, I was able to find the time to visit a place I’ve had on my radar for a while now: the Opéra Garnier!

Apr 6, 2025

Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur: An idyllic slice of Paris

Welcome back! Final projects and exams are still on the horizon, and I’ve been getting some good work done on them, but at the end of the day, I’m studying abroad to see Paris and experience life in another country. I can’t be taking my studies too seriously, now. So, during one of my days off, I decided to go and visit somewhere I’ve been itching to see for a while: Montmartre and its centerpiece, the basilica of Sacré-Coeur.

Apr 12, 2025

The Musée d’Orsay: from Train Station to Museum

Hello again! Hot off the tail of Montmartre, I decided to tackle another long anticipated destination: the Musée d’Orsay. Sitting right opposite to the Louvre, I had long had this place on my radar.

Apr 15, 2025

Florence: the city of the Renaissance

Greetings everyone! Now, based on the pictures you’re all seeing and the mysterious conclusion to my last post, your instincts may already be pointing you towards the fact that I may no longer be in Paris. Well, dear reader, you would be quite correct! I am now in the wonderful city of Florence, Italy! Visiting Italy has always been a dream for me, so I’m going to make the most of it while I’m here!

Apr 17, 2025

Discovering Florence’s churches: a colorful new experience

Hello yet again! As promised, I’m not slacking on my coverage of my trip in Florence. After getting my bearings the first day, it was time to start and take things seriously, which involved visiting the two largest churches in town: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as the Duomo) and the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Apr 19, 2025

Florence and its art: from medieval to renaissance

Hello everyone! Yet again, I am back with more stories from my trip in Florence! This time, I wanted to focus on the arts that Florence is home to. Paintings and sculptures from all throughout time call Florence their home.