Travel Experiences

One of the best parts about studying abroad is that learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom. In fact, some of the most memorable lessons come when I was standing in front of a centuries-old cathedral, or getting my feet stuck in quicksand (yes, that really happened). During my time in France, I had the chance to travel both with my classmates and on my own. Each trip showed me a different side of French—and European—life, from the elegance of Paris to the wind-blown beaches of northern Brittany, and even the bike-filled streets of Amsterdam.

Our organized excursions took us to places like Paris, Saint-Malo, Mont-Saint-Michel, and the Château de Fougères. Each destination felt like stepping into a new chapter of French history. Paris was, of course, full of energy—crowded cafés, art on every corner, and people who somehow manage to look effortlessly stylish even when rushing to the metro. Saint-Malo and Fougères were completely different worlds. Their medieval walls, narrow streets, and old stone towers made me feel like I’d traveled back in time. I was especially fascinated by how much pride local communities take in preserving that history—that’s where they built their identity. And then there was Mont-Saint-Michel, which I’ll never forget. Walking barefoot on the sand and feeling it move beneath my feet was surreal; the quicksand felt alive, almost like it was reminding me that even the most iconic landmarks stand on ever-shifting ground.

But I then also did something I could not imagine before—a solo trip to the Netherlands. As a sustainability major, I had always read about Amsterdam’s bike culture, but seeing it in action was something else. Bikes were everywhere, but not in a chaotic way. They fit perfectly into the rhythm of the city. Trams, metros, ferries, and cyclists all shared space gracefully. It amazed me how public transport could feel so natural and empowering at the same time. For 18 euros a day, I rented a bike and rode as far as I wanted—through canals, over bridges, past windmills, even to smaller towns like Arnhem, where I completed a Liberation Route on pedals that followed the footsteps of the brave parachuters that fought here 80 years ago. It was one of the few times in my life I truly felt the freedom to move. I wasn’t just a tourist checking off sights; I was part of the flow of the city, powered by my own legs and a well-planned network of paths and rails.

For other students studying abroad, I’d say: travel as much as you can, but travel curiously. Notice how people live, how they move, how they connect with their environment. Those are the experiences that stay with you long after the photos fade.

Haoyang Liang 

Furman University

CIEE-Rennes Liberal Arts Fall 2025