The City That Stole My Heart
By: Cindy Batulzii, CAS ’25
Cindy at the Palais des Nations
Love is a strong word but it is how I would use it to describe my summer abroad. Prior to arriving in Ferney-Voltaire, a small town on the border of France and Switzerland, I envisioned myself making the absolute most of my time once in Europe. While I did do this, I did not expect to fall in love with Geneva.
With only a 20-minute bus ride, I found myself in Geneva practically every day after work.
Now don’t get me wrong, my first two times in Geneva were not special. I remember being baffled by how expensive the city is, flustered with the need to practice my French, and feeling the unfamiliarity that comes with being in a new place. But with each visit after work and on the weekends, I came to consider Geneva as a second home.
Being in France and Switzerland allowed me to practice my French in a natural environment. To be able to converse with locals on a daily basis and improve my language skills gave me a new appreciation not just for the language but also for the lifestyles of both people from Ferney-Voltaire, Geneva, and the neighboring areas.
From the routine walks around Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman as the locals call it) to the classic kebab shop stops before heading home, bits and pieces of Geneva have nudged its way into my heart (sounds cheesy but true).
Geneva being quite the international and diverse city, I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. And in many ways, Geneva enabled me to truly explore myself.
Being abroad has always appealed to me. How can it not when it entails meeting new people, learning about different cultures, trying new foods, and so much more. What I did not anticipate was how much I learned about myself and grew as a person.
In a new environment without the familiarity of my friends and family, I became more independent and gained a better understanding of myself. With people that I have known for less than a few months, I had conversations as simple as favorite foods to conversations about biggest fears and dreams. It allowed me to reflect on not just myself but life.
Oftentimes it is easy to get lost in a bubble of school, work, and simply Penn. Being abroad gave me a refreshing break that let me gain clarity into my life goals and fulfill some of my childhood dreams.
My love for the city of Geneva only hit me as I got to travel to other places around Europe; interestingly enough, each time I could not wait to come back to Geneva. It is the city that stole a piece of my heart and will forever hold many special memories. Until I go back one day, I send love to the city that welcomed and embraced me.
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce.