By Keenan MacKubbin
In France, life really is all about the experience. Taking a moment for yourself, enjoying your surroundings, and appreciating what you have. When I studied abroad through ISEP in Rennes, France during the Spring semester of 2026, I discovered that these things are true and so much more.
Located in beautiful Brittany, I felt that my location in Rennes was the perfect place for my studies. Being not too touristy while still very manageable for an exchange student, I found that this city was amazing. While many exchange students choose to go to larger cities or well-known travel destinations, I found myself particularly excited by the idea of immersing myself into daily life somewhere that was a little off the beaten path. Not only do I get to say that I lived somewhere where relatively few have compared to other cities, but I was also able to assimilate myself to the fullest in my host country’s culture.
Abroad, I knew that my biggest goals were to enhance my language skills and engage with the culture of France. To achieve this, I made sure to go out every opportunity I got a break from class, either to explore the entirety of my host city or to experience new places beyond it. This way I wouldn’t be able to look back and admonish myself for having not taken the greatest advantage of being abroad!
In France, I found that it was easy to practice my language skills everywhere I went. If I struggled, the people were accommodating and welcomed the fact that I was trying to learn their language. Making mistakes was part of the journey, even if it did give me a few embarrassing moments! Ultimately, I couldn’t have achieved anywhere near the comprehension I have now of my second language had I not gone out and interacted frequently with native speakers. I feel that learning a second language is one of the most important (and impressive) feats for someone to accomplish. The entire process gives you the most extraordinary opportunity to truly understand other people in a way entirely unique from any other form of communication.
Choosing to study abroad with ISEP truly allowed me to benefit the most from my time abroad. Firstly, I had the option of several potential study locations (such as Rennes) that I simply would not have had with any other providers. Furthermore, pursuing a program through ISEP allowed me to complete my semester abroad with the least amount of financial stress possible. Since I paid tuition and housing directly to my home university, I was able to utilize all of my financial aid options and the final academic cost of my time abroad ended up being just the same amount as if I would have stayed in the United States. I am extremely thankful for this aspect because I was then able to maximize the use of my personal funds to make the most of traveling and exploring France and its neighboring nations.
My time studying abroad will easily be the period of my college experience which I look back on with the most pride and the greatest joy. After completing such a journey, I can’t imagine not having done so. As I have learned, not studying abroad is frequently the biggest regret students have after graduating. Whether it’s cultural learning or language application or a plethora of other things, I have so much to thank my stay abroad for. Because of it, I have learned how to adapt to almost any situation. I have become a more outgoing and proactive person. Most importantly, for me, I made wonderful memories and lifelong friends from around the globe. So if you’re debating whether or not to study abroad, take the leap. Chances are, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime.