Genesy Martinez’s Semester Abroad in France
For Genesy Martinez, studying abroad in France has been less about crossing borders and more about learning how to exist confidently in unfamiliar spaces.
Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, Genesy is a Marketing major at USC Upstate who transferred in Fall 2025. With a short time on campus before heading abroad, she approached her transition to USC Upstate intentionally by focusing on academics, building strong relationships with faculty and advisors, and preparing for what would soon become one of the most transformative experiences of her life.
During the Spring 2026 semester, Genesy is studying abroad at the University of Angers in Angers, France, where she is fully immersed in both academic and cultural life.
The Moment It Became Real
Genesy’s decision to study abroad came with both excitement and uncertainty. As her departure approached, the reality of leaving everything familiar behind began to set in.
“What started as excitement quickly turned into overthinking, questioning if I was actually ready and imagining everything that could go wrong.”
With her family away for the holidays just before her departure, Genesy experienced her first moment of independence on a deeper level.
“For the first time, I was completely on my own, knowing that by the time they came back, I would already be in another country.”
Still, she chose to move forward and embrace the discomfort that came with stepping into the unknown.
Settling Into Life in France
Upon arrival, everything felt surreal.
“The first thing I did after arriving in Paris was go see the Eiffel Tower. I remember standing there thinking, ‘This is actually happening.’”
As the initial excitement softened, Genesy began to experience a different side of studying abroad, and it was one that required patience and self‑reflection.
“What I didn’t expect was how disorienting that part would feel. Not because anything was wrong, but because everything felt undefined.”
Without the highly structured routine she was used to at home, she found herself adjusting not only to a new country, but to a new internal rhythm.
“It felt like I was building a life from scratch without fully knowing what it was supposed to look like yet.”
Over time, unfamiliar places became familiar, and uncertainty slowly turned into confidence.
“It stopped feeling like something temporary and started to feel like my life.”
A Shift in Perspective
One of the most meaningful parts of Genesy’s experience has been the change in how she views productivity, success, and rest.
“Before this experience, my life felt very structured around constant movement—working, studying, and always thinking about what was next.”
Living in Europe introduced her to a slower, more intentional pace of life.
“I started to notice a different relationship with life—one that values quality of life just as much as productivity.”
That shift extended into her academic experience as well. The French educational structure, which focuses more on long‑term projects and lectures, allowed her to engage more creatively with her field of study.
“For the first time, I didn’t just feel like I was studying marketing—I felt like I was thinking like a marketer.”
Identity, Culture, and Growth
One of the most surprising aspects of Genesy’s time abroad has been how it challenged her understanding of identity—particularly her relationship with being American.
“What surprised me the most was how often I found myself on the receiving end of stereotypes about being American.”
Raised in a Dominican household deeply rooted in her family’s culture, she hadn’t always thought of her identity in national terms.
“Being here, and suddenly feeling very ‘American’ in the eyes of other people, caught me off guard.”
That awareness prompted reflection on how she was perceived as well as on how culture shapes everyone in quiet, often invisible ways.
“Maybe we don’t leave home to become less of what we are. Maybe we leave to understand what shaped us in the first place.”
A Moment That Stayed With Her
One of Genesy’s most memorable moments abroad came during a visit to Barcelona—not for what she saw, but for how it made her feel.
“I remember standing by the marina and, for the first time in a long time, really letting myself look back.”
In that moment, she recognized how far she had come.
“For once, I actually gave myself credit. It made me feel like I’m going to be okay—like the life I’ve imagined for myself isn’t unrealistic.”
What stayed with her most wasn’t the destination itself, but the sense of peace and presence she found there.
“For the first time, I felt grounded both in where I was and in where I’m going.”
Advice for Future Study Abroad Students
When asked what advice she would give to students considering studying abroad, Genesy emphasizes openness above all else.
“No amount of research can fully prepare you for what it actually feels like to live somewhere new.”
“You’re stepping into someone else’s culture, someone else’s rhythm, someone else’s way of life.”
Her advice is to stay curious, grounded, and confident and allow the experience to expand you rather than overwhelm you.
“Studying abroad gives you more than just travel memories—it gives you perspective, independence, and a deeper understanding of yourself.”
For Genesy, France has been a space where she learned how to trust herself, slow down, and grow into who she’s becoming.