Study Abroad in France with Hunter Hodge '26 (marketing and global business management)
Marketing and global business management student Hunter Hodge shares his experience abroad with a faculty-led program.
As part of a collaboration between RIT's Saunders College of Business and the Modern Language Department, Hunter took international entrepreneurship, a class focused on teaching entrepreneurship in a global setting with a language component. At the end of the class, each of the five languages - Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese - went to their respective countries and met with businesses and incubators to learn about entrepreneurship in that country.
Since Hunter has a minor in French, he traveled to Rennes, France, to visit the National Institute of Applied Sciences, a technical school in France that encourages student entrepreneurship, and Le POOOL, a government-funded incubator for start-ups in Rennes.
Hunter explains that the trip was the "perfect combination of work and fun" as they visited monuments in Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, and Rennes.
What was your favorite part of the trip?
That is an impossible question to answer, but if I choose one, I would visit Mont Saint-Michel. It's beautiful, and though it is now filled with tourists, I can only imagine the calm and peaceful environment that was once contained on that tiny island. Seeing the small streets and the huge maze-like Abbey is indescribable. The walk up to the island from the mainland was breathtaking. I am still in awe that I had the opportunity to visit.
Who did you meet during your trip that significantly impacted you?
The most impactful experience was meeting and talking with the employees and consultants at Le POOOL. Given my interests in entrepreneurship and marketing for small start-ups, I was able to ask questions about entrepreneurship in France that were beneficial in planning my next steps post-graduation. I enjoyed meeting and learning all the information about French incubators and the government support for start-ups in France.
What's something you learned on your trip that you didn't know before?
I learned how easy it is to use public transportation. It was clean, efficient, and affordable, with fares costing 2.25 EUR and trains coming every 2-5 minutes. It was refreshing to get around the city quickly and without breaking the bank. Throughout my travels, everything was fast, clean, and relatively affordable.
What are some places you would recommend that people must see when visiting where you went during your trip?
Paris has fantastic cuisine. I could recommend endless places.
- Pain Vin Fromages near Notre Dame for fondue and raclettes
- Brasserie Bellanger for brunch (I think there are a few of them around the city)
- La Duree for macarons
- L’Epicerie for a bar/speakeasy
- Mezcaleria for a bar/speakeasy
Within Rennes, I recommend
- La Hublais for galettes and crepes
- O' Liban for something outside of the traditional French cuisine
- Mont Saint-Michel for a day trip
My best discoveries were walking around the city and popping into places that looked good.
What advice do you have for students who want to study abroad?
Breathe! This trip was my second study abroad experience, and both times, I traveled and explored alone. I won't lie. Traveling alone can be anxiety-inducing, but it will always be okay at the end of the day.
To my fellow introverts, going to a new country where you might not speak the language and not know anyone else can be intimidating, and you might feel a different type of loneliness. Speaking from my experience, it is okay to feel this and embrace it for a little but don't let it ruin your trip. Take a few deep breaths and explore! Taking those first few leaps will make the rest of the journey a million times easier.
What will you take back with you to RIT from your experience?
Something I am bringing back from my trip is my appreciation for RIT itself. During both of my study abroad experiences, I noticed that many of the universities in Europe are rather small and sometimes a little worn down and older. I love all of the opportunities RIT provides its students. I feel it wouldn't be the same experience if I went to a university in Europe.
This trip revived my passion for learning new languages. After this past semester of having a challenging French class, I was glad to have finished my minor. Now, after going to France and being able to actively use my linguistic skills, I am once again passionate about learning multiple languages.
Did studying abroad widen your worldview?
Of course! The US is different from any other country in the world, and its cultures are wildly different. I have studied these differences in my classes, but being able to go to the country to see them is so much more impactful. Even going to just one other country opens your mind to how different the world is and can change your perspectives on everything.
Visiting Europe has affirmed my desire to move abroad at the end of my studies because of how easily I can travel there, which I know will only further expand my worldview.
Did studying abroad give you a new perspective on your major?
Regarding my major, I don't think my short trip gave me a new perspective. However, it did give me some validation for the direction of my studies. I have a double major in marketing and global business management alongside an interest in entrepreneurship. For a while, I have wanted to get into brand building and consulting for start-ups, so being able to talk to the individuals from Le POOOL helped me determine that this path has the potential for good outcomes.
