Paris France is a sophomore majoring in marketing in the Broad College of Business. She is a social media and digital content creator for International Studies and Programs. Paris is a member of Delta Gamma sorority and a member of the MSU All-Girl Cheer and STUNT Team, where she also manages the team’s social media account.

When I meet someone new, the introduction is followed by the same question: "Wait... your name is Paris France?" My entire life, people have joked about my name or asked if I’d ever been there, and I always hoped that one day I’d be able to answer yes.

That opportunity arrived during my senior year of high school when I traveled abroad for the first time, visiting London, Paris and Rome. Each city offered something completely different, and I loved the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures, with every destination leaving its own unique impression. Still, Paris was the place I had dreamed of visiting for as long as I can remember.

Watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle in person felt surreal. It was one of those moments that seemed impossible to prepare for because no picture or story had ever captured what it felt like to actually be there. Seeing the streets, hearing people around me speaking French, and experiencing the city in real life transformed a place that had only existed in my imagination into an unforgettable reality. For the first time, my name represented more than a conversation starter — it represented a memory, an experience and a place that finally felt like my own.

Traveling abroad challenged me in ways I hadn't expected. Being in unfamiliar environments required me to adapt, communicate despite language differences and appreciate customs that were different from my own. I found myself paying attention to the little things like the pace of everyday life, the architecture, the cafés and the city's history. Those moments reminded me that learning doesn't only happen in a classroom but sometimes happens by observing and being willing to step outside of what feels familiar.

The experience also changed the way I view the world. Visiting three countries in one trip made me realize how much culture shapes people's perspectives and traditions. While we often focus on what makes us different, I noticed just as many similarities throughout my trip.

Traveling abroad was an experience that encouraged curiosity, independence and a greater appreciation for cultures beyond my own. Since then, I have continued looking for opportunities to immerse myself in different cultures and perspectives through my work with International Studies and Programs. I have been able to learn more about international students and their experiences while gaining a broader perspective of the world around me.