Interview
Melanie Vistelle
Tourism and Hospitality
Senior
Where are you from?
I was born in France and moved to the USA when I was 5.
Where in Florida is your family’s located?
Gainesville
What is your family background if your family is from another country?
French from my dad’s side
What are your career/life goals?
I hope to live and work in France one day. I don’t know exactly what I want to do yet, but most likely it would be something related to Disneyland Paris or working in a hotel.
Where did you travel? Where is it located?
I was in Paris, France.
Why did you travel there?
I wanted to practice my French and see what living there was like since I moved away at a young age. Another big factor was that I wanted to be close to my dad and get to know him better.
How long were you there for?
7 months
How was it different from the US/Gainesville?
Paris is a very large city (much bigger than Gainesville) with lots to do and see. The public transportation system is awesome because there are so many different forms (metro, taxi, buses, RER) and it is very easy to get around.
Did you pick up any of the local language (if you traveled outside of the United States)?
Even though I spoke pretty fluently before going there, I feel like I improved a lot and learned some things that I didn’t know before.
Has your trip changed your perspective on life or influenced your future career?
This trip made me realize that I would really enjoy working in France. It helped me become a more independent person and I feel like I have become more open-minded to other ways of doing things.
What was the most memorable memory about your trip/Internship?
Spending my 22nd birthday with my dad! I can’t remember the last time I spent a birthday with him.
What advice would you give students who are contemplating studying abroad or doing an internship out of state?
I would tell them to go for it! Even if cost seems like a deterrent or if they are just hesitant to experience something new they should go for it! Studying abroad changes your life. You meet so many new people; possibly learn a new language (if you are in another country) and you learn to be flexible and go with the flow. It’s something that you will look back on forever. I am constantly thinking about my time there and the people that I met.
In the future do you plan on traveling? And if so where do you plan on traveling?
Definitely! I would love to go to Australia, Mexico and England (other than London which I went to while in Europe).
Tell me one fact about yourself.
I studied abroad for 10 months in Ecuador after 10th grade.
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