Eniola's experience of studying abroad

Hi! I’m Eniola, a fourth-year student studying Business Management with French, and I’ve just returned from what has truly been the most incredible, life changing year abroad in France!

As part of my degree, I spent my year abroad working as an English Language Assistant in a small town in the centre of France. From the moment I applied to Essex, I was drawn to the opportunity to combine two things I’ve always loved: business and French. The year abroad was one of the things that really stood out to me.

Since I was young, I’ve always dreamed of living in France, so having the chance to do this through university felt surreal. I worked in a local secondary school (or collège, as they say in French), supporting students with their English. My days were filled with all kinds of fun and engaging activities: from creating presentations to helping students in small groups and working on improving their speaking and pronunciation.

It was such a rewarding experience to teach students from a range of different cultural and social backgrounds, each with their own unique stories and energy. Seeing them grow in confidence and engage more with English was such a joy. Some even taught me a thing or two about French slang!

But this year wasn’t just about work. It also unlocked a whole new love for travelling. Being based in France made exploring the rest of Europe so much easier (and cheaper!). I solo travelled to cities like Barcelona, Munich (for Oktoberfest!) and Amsterdam, meeting incredible people along the way, sharing stories, music, and of course, food. Within France, I also took the time to visit old friends and discover the magic of French Christmas markets (10/10 recommend!).

The university also provided support to help make this year possible. I was lucky enough to receive a bursary through the Turing Scheme, which really helped cover some of my living costs while abroad.

Overall, this year abroad was the best experience of my life. I grew so much, personally, academically, and professionally. The memories I’ve made, the people I’ve met, and the confidence I’ve gained are things I’ll carry with me forever.

If you’re thinking about doing a year abroad, just go for it. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.