This spring break of 2023, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad with SPC in France. I loved every part of it and made lifetime memories. The staff was amazing, as they were very organized, helped us around, and were very kind. They were attentive when asking questions and responded to emails quickly. The students were all very nice, and everyone got along. I think everything was perfect. Everything we did was planned out and was accurate, they said in the schedule, so there weren’t any surprise changes. I felt no stress during the trip because the staff ensured everything was going okay. I felt like they gave us enough free time so we could explore but also not too much to where we could get bored. I liked how everything was planned out so we could see all the main attractions of France.

The tour guides were all excellent, helpful, knowledgeable, and nice. We were mainly in Paris on the trip but also visited other small towns in France. I loved seeing all the cathedrals, castles, and museums. My favorite part was going to the Louvre Museum. I loved seeing all different cultures presented in forms of art. The weather was one of my favorite parts. The weather was on the colder side but as cold as I would’ve thought. It felt refreshing to be in. The food in France was delicious as everything felt less processed and more enjoyable. Everyone in France was kind and understanding, even with the langue barrier.

Overall, I am forever grateful to SPC that I had this wonderful opportunity to study abroad with such fantastic staff and students. I learned so much about Europe and its culture and want to learn more about it and travel back. Traveling to France helped me understand how big our world is and how different places can be from ours. After the trip, I can’t help but think of all the places I want to visit next. I would definitely recommend traveling with SPC’s program if you are interested in traveling and have no experience.
– Lydia, SPC France High School Study Abroad Program, March 2023

After my trip with EF to France, it is safe to say the I have completely changed as a person. This trip has completely flipped my worldview and I could not be more grateful to go on this trip. I have not previously left the country before this trip, and I am so glad I chose to do this before I travelled on my own. The trip felt very organized, and I never felt lost or unsafe. My favorite place on this trip was Paris. The people dressed very nicely, and they were polite and accommodating even though I do not speak any French. I hope that I can move to Paris one day or at least study abroad again in later years. I love art and history and Paris is a city that is very rich in that.

Next, I really loved visiting Versailles. Versailles’ gardens were breathtaking, and the weather was very nice when we visited (before it started to rain) and I felt very connected with the beautiful nature of the area. The inside was probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, and as I walked through each room, it seemed like it just kept getting better. The smaller areas that we went to, such as Tours and Saint-Malo, were very cute and charming. The streets were lined with delicious food options and small shops, which was a very exciting sight. It felt a bit more laid back than the more crowded areas and was a nice relief in between busier days. Another aspect of the trip that really stood out to me was all the amazing French cuisine we got to try. I ate plenty of Nutella crepes and croissants, but my favorite thing I got to try was French coffee at a café. This is unusual because I never really cared for coffee, but I felt obligated to try it at least once, and I can say that now I do like some coffee. It was so good, and it made me more eager to try even more new things throughout the trip. Overall, this trip to France is one of the best experiences I have had, and I am so grateful that it all happened.
– Lucy, SPC France High School Study Abroad Program, March 2023