Hi Natasha! So, you’ve been back from your AFS program for over 3 years. Tell us a little more about your experience abroad. What year of high school did you decide to study abroad?
I left for my senior year of high school.
And you chose to study in France. Why?
I initially chose France because I read a book: The Count of Monte Cristo. I loved the French culture, the history and of course the language. Also, I speak Spanish fluently so I knew I wanted to learn a third language. I didn't anticipate the advantages knowing these specific languages would provide me.
Three languages, incredible! Any favorite French word you picked up?
Grenouille. It means frog. My friend thought it was the funniest thing to make me try and pronounce it.
Did you ever have to eat frog or any weird food during your program in France?
I'm not bothered by textures so I wasn't really surprised by much. I did try boudin noir, a type of sausage made out of boiled pig blood. That was weird!
"Honestly, I don't think I would have been accepted into Madison without AFS on my resumé, so who knows where I would be!" - Natasha
That’s intense. So you probably changed a bunch while on program.
Before France, I was a 17 year old truck-driving Wisconsinite who loved going to football games, playing soccer and eating ice cream. After coming back, I had a desire to challenge myself not as a high school student, but as an adult, as a member of my community both local and global. I grew up in a direction that I embrace and am incredibly thankful for.
Before France, I was a 17 year old truck-driving Wisconsinite who loved going to football games, playing soccer and eating ice cream. After coming back, I had a desire to challenge myself not as a high school student, but as an adult, as a member of my community both local and global. I grew up in a direction that I embrace and am incredibly thankful for.
Awesome. So you’re saying you learned a lot about yourself while in France.
Totally. I learned that getting to know myself is an ongoing process. When I wrote my goal statement for Georgetown University, I said that after my time in France, I still am not fearless, but ready to face my fears.
Totally. I learned that getting to know myself is an ongoing process. When I wrote my goal statement for Georgetown University, I said that after my time in France, I still am not fearless, but ready to face my fears.
Looking ahead, how did your AFS exchange prepare you for future decisions?
Experiencing AFS gave me the confidence to major in what I loved. I've now graduated from UW Madison and have applied to George Mason's International Masters in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and Georgetown's equivalent program. AFS also provided me with the independence and skills to obtain an internship under the Mayor of Quillota in Chile. I'm certain that I can take on adjusting to a new life, because I've done it before.
Experiencing AFS gave me the confidence to major in what I loved. I've now graduated from UW Madison and have applied to George Mason's International Masters in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and Georgetown's equivalent program. AFS also provided me with the independence and skills to obtain an internship under the Mayor of Quillota in Chile. I'm certain that I can take on adjusting to a new life, because I've done it before.
Best advice you can give students considering studying abroad?
You’ll never regret it. Those who truly love you will stick by you and see you when you come back. I knew that if I didn't go, I'd probably be sitting in my college dorm years later wondering what could have happened. And honestly, I don't think I would have been accepted into Madison without AFS on my resumé, so who knows where I would be!
You’ll never regret it. Those who truly love you will stick by you and see you when you come back. I knew that if I didn't go, I'd probably be sitting in my college dorm years later wondering what could have happened. And honestly, I don't think I would have been accepted into Madison without AFS on my resumé, so who knows where I would be!
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