Syracuse University Strasbourg Center

Le Conservatoire de Strasbourg in connection with the Syracuse University Strasbourg Center is an excellent program overall that allowed me to fully grow as a musician. From the amazing professors, to my internships, to simply travelling across Europe all by myself I was able to gain the maximum benefits during my time abroad. Though I was skeptical to go anywhere abroad the faculty fully helped me adjust to the new territory.

Because I have a ton to say but length reviews rarely get read completely, here are some short insights about my semester abroad in Strasbourg, France.

School: Your Ideal Facility
• Small, gorgeously designed facility. The house was actually an old war hide-out. No Pinocchio here! Ask the secretary, Sabrina!
• Computer cluster overlooking the beautiful Rhine River
• Involvement and interaction between various classes
• Extremely close to sandwich shops, bakeries, and other small food choice areas
• Close proximity to European Parliament (try an internship there!), the tramline, and where you'll stay
• You can actually take courses at the University of Strasbourg, too! (There are different options to choose when you start to apply abroad.)

Academics and Professors: Remember that "study" part of "study abroad?"
• Knowledgable, resourceful staff (ask Sabrina for student discount opportunities, grocery stores, printing questions, anything. That woman knows this city.)
• Your normal college workload, if not a bit less (no classes on Fridays. More time to do cool Eurpeany things.)
• Athletic programs you can take through the U of Strasbourg like rock climbing

HALT. LONG SECTION BUT COOL SECTION FOLLOWS.

City Culture and Travel: Get to Know It!
• Marvelous Christmas Market (ever heard of hot wine?) (type "Strasbourg France" into Google. It's one of the most searched terms.)
• Various night clubs and bars (check out Barco Latino, a bar on a boat that's actually in the Rhine River. Is that neat, or is that neat?)
• The Cathedral. No words.
• Fresh baguettes. That are actually still warm when you buy them. They're everywhere (even in gas stations! Would you believe that?)
• Speaking of gas stations, they're a neat resource within themselves. Fruit, wine, baguettes, veggies, snacks. They've got everying. Oh, and gas.
• Easy travel across the city from your pre-paid tram pass from the school (stop at random stops and explore. Strasbourg has so much dynamic.)
• Cyclists. EVERYWHERE. Rent a bike and you'll be set to travel the city. Most professors bike to work. Seeing professionals in business attire riding bikes will become normal to you. Also, get yourself a solid bike lock. Strasbourgers don't joke around with bikes.
• 15 minutes from Kiel, Germany (rumors are that the tram will extend right to Kiel instead of having to take a tram and a bus). Also, not so secret secret: Germany's prices are usually lower than France's. Try shopping at the Kiel mall. You'll save some Euros for drinks later.
• Incredible ease of travel outside the country (e.g. Ryan Air flights are astoundingly cheap. Weekend trip to London for 21 Euros? Sold.)
• Petite France, a conglomerate of higher-end restaurants with picturesque outdoor seating and lighting. Head back over to Google and check up on that.
• Museums everywhere. (Not as abundant as cyclists or warm baguettes, but there are a lot.)
• Gorgeous train station (Remember Google? Look up Gare Centrale. It looks like the outside of a roly poly bug.)
• Movie theater: French spoken, French with English subtitles, and English. Who could ask for more accommodation than that?

I loved studying abroad in Strasbourg through SU Abroad. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I had the most amazing host mother and host brother, living in the heart of downtown Strasbourg easily accessible to everything. I only spoke French with them, ate authentic French cuisine and was truly immersed in the culture. I took all French classes at the SU center, so my language skills greatly improved. I met some of my best friends that I know I will talk to for many years to come. I had the opportunity to travel almost every weekend, totaling 11 different countries. Towards the end of the fall semester, my friends and I got to stroll through the quaint streets during the Christmas Market season. Strasbourg is the perfect city for study abroad: not too big so you feel like a native, but not too small that there was always something to do. Whether it was a quick bite at a boulangerie or a drink with a friend after class, I miss my time there every day. I look forward to the day I can go back and hopefully be a permanent resident in France.