Gabrielle Fine
Wharton ’26
Environmental, Social, and Governance factors for Business (ESGB)
SA: Penn Semester in Lyon
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There are many unique aspects of my semester abroad to which I could speak. I successfully recruited for a consulting internship for the upcoming summer, it was my first time stepping foot in continental Europe, I traveled non-stop for my last month there, and more. But what was most unique was the setup of my program itself. I think that the Lyon program is one of, if not, the most unique semester abroad opportunities (and the best). Most notably is how this program, in many ways, allows total immersion in the French language and culture.
First, I lived with a host family, meaning that every aspect of home life from laundry to holidays was completely in French. I, of course, also learned a great deal about French culture from them. Second, I took courses only in French. As a Wharton student pursuing a minor in the College, it was also very important to me that this program offered credit for both the College and Wharton and is the only French program to do so. Also unique were the classes offered, including two courses that were available only to Penn students. This produced small classes, giving ample opportunity to practice speaking. Beyond immersion, this program also has an incredible program director living in Lyon that is there for all questions and support needed. She also planned two weekend excursions for us through which we got to explore different regions of France at no cost to us, making it completely accessible.
My Experience Abroad
This experience complimented my coursework, especially my minor in French and Francophone Studies, as I was able to take all of my classes in French. Beyond just practicing the language, I also got to further explore French culture, which is another core aspect of the minor. I took a class on intercultural communication through which we learned much about the differences between French and American culture. I also took a class on the history of cinema, which began in Lyon, through which I got to visit the Lumière museum.
Beyond classes, I learned about the culture through museum visits, movies, plays, and interacting and living with French people of all ages. Besides what I learned while abroad, this also gave me the chance to put into practice that which I had already learned, such as discussing French political figures about whom I had learned the semester prior. Even more than my French coursework, this complimented my business coursework by allowing me to learn about European and international economics from a European professor. I also took a class about degrowth, which would have never been offered in a capitalist country like the U.S. This, however, certainly enhanced my Environmental, Social, and Governance factors for Business concentration. This also boosted my professional goals because I want to work in a French speaking country in the future. The language skills that I gained last semester already opened up more opportunities last summer during my internship with a Canadian company.
Other Highlights
When it was time for lunch on my first day in France, knowing nothing and no one, I went to the first bakery that I could find. From this very first sandwich, I fell in love with what became my go-to lunch spot. Fast forward to one of my last days, the woman behind the counter recognized me and asked me if I wanted a spoon, which I requested during each visit. To be recognized like a local in a place where it was so easy to feel like a foreigner meant so much.
My trip to Berlin was amazing not because of the location, but because of the company. For almost all of our first trips of the semester, every single Penn student studying in Lyon flew out to Berlin. We all rented an Airbnb, got to know each other, and couldn’t believe that this was what our life would be like for the next few months.
My grandma speaks fluent French, but I have never spoken to her in French because she can be rather critical. I was then given an assignment for which I had to present my family tree and heritage. For this, I needed information from my grandma, and after a couple of months in France, I figured that this was the time. So, I called my grandma from France and spoke to her in French for the first time to complete this project about my Francophone culture. I got chills.
