IU Study Abroad Program Opens Doors for South Side Students

Ruth Haruna (12) & Jeanelly Hernandez
ruth.haruna@fwcsstudents.org
jeanelly.hernandez@fwcsstudents.org

September 24, 2023

This summer Sara Lucero-Palma (12) and Karen Palma (12) had an opportunity to go on a six-week trip to France through IU’s study abroad program. 

These two students presented to the foreign language classes about their experiences as a requirement from the program. The goal of the presentation post-trip is to inform others about what to expect from this program. 

“At first I wanted to go home. It was difficult to get accustomed to in the beginning, but the experience was a valuable opportunity that you cannot get inside the classroom,” Lucero-Palma said. 

The IU program is unique from other study abroad programs, as it truly focuses on immersion. The students are restricted from using their cell phones to limit the use of English as much as possible and are only allowed an hour per week of email to communicate with their families. 

IU allows students to incorporate French into every aspect of their daily lifestyle, one of the most effective ways to become fluent in a foreign language.

Palma was thrilled to be part of the program, not only to learn how to speak French fluently but also to immerse herself in the country's rich culture. She relished the opportunity to taste the local food and was fortunate enough to discover not only famous landmarks but also the hidden gems of the area with the help of her welcoming host family. 

“I enjoy seafood a lot so the fact that I was lucky enough to live close to water was amazing. I loved trying new dishes,” Palma said. 

A daunting aspect of this program however is the cost, it is expensive; fortunately, there are various ways to lessen the burden. The Heffner grant is one of the best ways to help pay for this trip. 

Fundraising was an option to cover costs as Lucero-Palma sold pastries and asked for donations from her teachers. 

After the presentations, many students were convinced about how helpful the program is and made inquiries about it. 

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