(Photo provided by Candyce Roques)

French international student Candyce Roques has been in the US for almost three years, adjusting to her new life in another country and experiencing several culture shocks. Tipping culture, strange food, and a country that’s just so big.

While at JCCC, she met Abigail Troilo in her business class, and a cross-cultural friendship bloomed. Eventually, Roques asked Troilo to accompany her to France, her home country.

“I actually planned the entire trip myself, since I invited Abigail to visit my country,” Roques said.

She put together a list of activities and places she wanted to visit with Troilo.

The plan was to spend two weeks in France. “We spent most of our time in the south of France in Montpellier,” Roques said.

Montpellier is off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Offering a rich culture, Montpellier has one thousand years of history on display through their medieval streets, mansions, museums, and neighborhoods, making it a great place for travelers to explore and see the sights.

The two friends spent four days together in Paris, the capital of France. Home to the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre, Paris is a big city that everyone wants to visit. Nicknamed the “City of Love” for its romantic ambience, Roques and Troilo found platonic love during their time in the city, strengthening their friendship beyond their cultural backgrounds.

During their travels, they participated in many activities together, partaking in the country’s many restaurants, monuments, and museums. They also went hiking, to the beach, and even canoeing. Roques showed her friend the beauty of her country and even her family, traveling to her aunt’s home in Dublin for a weekend. As their travels come to an end, Roques and Troilo’s friendship has gone beyond a cultural level, with both learning about each other’s country.