During my time studying abroad in Nice, France, I quickly realized how different my daily life would be compared to what I was used to back home. From academic schedules to grocery shopping, nearly every part of my routine had to be adjusted. At first, it felt overwhelming but within a few weeks, I found my rhythm and began to appreciate the big and small changes alike.

I studied at EDHEC Business School, where the university schedules are based entirely around the professors’ availability. This meant that each week looked different from the last, classes could change times or days on short notice, which required a high level of flexibility. Each class also lasted three hours, with a short break every hour. While this system was difficult to get used to at first, it became second nature within two weeks. I learned to plan my days around these long classes and appreciate the depth of discussion they allowed.

Living in Old Nice added another layer to my daily routine. My commute to campus was about 30 minutes by tram, not long, but it was a meaningful part of my experience. Navigating the French transit system, including getting my monthly tram pass and learning how locals use public transport, gave me a deeper sense of what day-to-day life is like for the average French person.

Another big shift was grocery shopping, in the U.S., I was used to making one big trip each week.

In Nice, however, most grocery stores are smaller, and it’s more common to shop every couple of days. I found myself walking to the store every other day to pick up just enough ingredients for two or three meals. At first, it felt inefficient but over time, I came to enjoy the routine and freshness of this approach to grocery stores. Even going to the gym in France came with new expectations. One key difference was the requirement to bring a towel to place on machines and benches, rather than wiping them down afterward. Additionally, when signing up for a gym membership, I needed an IBAN, a European banking number, which was something I hadn’t encountered before.

While these adjustments weren’t always easy, they were all part of what made my study abroad experience so memorable. Each small challenge taught me to be more adaptable, patient, and open to different ways of living.