People walk along a sidewalk in front of the Syracuse University Strasbourg Center.
Syracuse University’s Discovery program in Strasbourg, France, allows first-semester students to explore the culture of Strasbourg, take part in field studies and learn about the city’s prestigious global institutions. Former Discovery program students Mariya Dempsey ’27, a creative writing major, Sarah Reeve ’27, a forensic science and psychology major, and Julia Yahres ’24, a communication sciences and disorders major, discuss their experiences with the Discovery program.
Mariya Dempsey ’27
Did you have any concerns about participating in Discovery? If so, how did you resolve them?
I was nervous about the language barrier as well as getting acclimated in Strasbourg. Thankfully, there were many people available to help. For example, with the help of my French teacher, and host family, I improved my French dramatically and found myself able to navigate the city speaking only in French. As for getting acclimated, I made sure not to shy away from asking for help.
Mariya Dempsey ’27 at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
What did you appreciate most about your Discovery experience?
What I appreciated most about my Discovery experience was the beauty of Strasbourg, the kindness of my host family and the level of support that the staff provided. They were very understanding that for many of us, this was our first college experience. And due to that support, I think I ended up succeeding far better than I would have otherwise.
What courses and academic experiences did you enjoy or find most interesting?
My favorite class was probably French. Not only was the professor incredibly friendly and welcoming, but without that class, I wouldn’t have gotten as far in French as I am today. I also enjoyed my internship with a local theater group.
What aspects of the cultural immersion did you most enjoy or appreciate?
The aspects of the cultural immersion that I enjoyed the most all relate to the environment of Strasbourg. The way the buildings and streets were constructed was such a refreshing and beautiful sight. In addition, nature populated the entire area, and I always felt at peace. Hearing the French language and feeling immersed in a community really put things into perspective for me, and I feel that I came out of this experience as a new person.
Dempsey on a river walk by her home in Strasbourg.
Were there any challenges you faced or overcame during your semester abroad?
During my semester abroad, I found some of my classes to be quite a high level of difficulty. However, with the guidance of the staff and my professors, I eventually found my way and finished the semester with grades I can say I am proud of.
How would you describe your adjustment to campus after your Discovery program? How do you feel studying abroad during your first semester affected your integration into campus life?
The adjustment to campus after my Discovery program could only be described as exciting. Although Syracuse is not a lovely French town, the excitement of being in a new environment around new people has made it enjoyable. I think that studying abroad my first semester made coming to campus significantly easier—I had felt almost alien abroad at first and had to adjust to being independent for the first time.
Sarah Reeve ’27
Why did you decide to study abroad your first semester with the Discovery program?
I decided to do the Discovery program in Strasbourg. I already knew I wanted to study abroad so I figured it was a good time to take the jump, engulf myself in a new culture and be a new, different person from who I was comfortable being.
What did you appreciate most about your Discovery experience?
My host family. That’s always what the people say about this experience, but it truly was one of the best parts of being abroad. Also, the Syracuse Strasbourg staff were all around amazing—comforting and kind, just the kind of people you wanted to have around if you had any questions.
What courses and academic experiences did you enjoy or find most interesting?
History 281, Hostile Friends: France versus the U.S., with Professor François Doppler-Speranza. It was a challenging class but with an amazing professor who knew how to answer our questions and draw students in with his passion. As well as FRE 101, which for someone studying abroad in France, was a blessing as I had never taken a French class. Madame Raynal was a blessing to have as a professor and overall, just a kind woman who encouraged us with a joking manner and brought us on field trips to broaden our knowledge of not just basic speaking, but also the culture of the city we were living in.
Julia Yahres ’24
Julia Yahres ’24 spent her first semester of college in Strasbourg because she wanted to explore the world.
Why did you decide to study abroad your first semester with the Discovery program?
I chose to spend my first semester abroad with the Discovery program in Strasbourg because I’ve always wanted to explore the world. It was the chance of a lifetime to throw myself into something completely different. I went to Strasbourg seeking adventure.
Did you have any concerns about participating in Discovery? If so, how did you resolve them?
I was a little nervous about living with a host family. I wasn’t sure what their expectations might be and if I would be able to communicate well with them. But being welcomed by my host mother with open arms really helped to assuage my fears. My language skills continued to grow throughout the semester, and we never had any trouble understanding each other.
Were there any challenges you faced or overcame during your semester abroad?
One of the challenges of being abroad is balancing your connection to your home and a new part of the world. I loved sending a couple of photos weekly to keep my family tied into my life while still going out frequently to explore.
Yahres (right) stands with her mom (left) and aunt in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral in fall 2021. They also traveled to Paris and Nice, France, together. “Studying abroad gave us the opportunity to all go to Europe for the first time,” Yahres says.
How would you describe your adjustment to campus after your Discovery program? How do you feel studying abroad during your first semester affected your integration into campus life?
Coming back to campus is the most challenging part. You need to work harder to make friends and become part of a community. I think it’s important to join some campus organizations and talk to people in your classes.
How do you feel Discovery prepared you to succeed in college and beyond?
Coming back to the U.S., I felt much more prepared to live independently than many of my peers. Growing my perspective on the world really helped me reflect inward and figure out my personal identity and goals. I feel far more connected to myself after going abroad. That connection helps me to seek out opportunities that support my goals and interests. The Discovery program also makes you better at working with people from different cultures, which is important for any career.
