COPLEY — Citing his experience as “totally eye-opening” sophomore Julian Cartwright (SFS ’17) returned from an hour long study abroad information session about Lyon, France as “a totally different person.”

Cartwright attempted to explain to his suite mates about what made the study abroad information session so enlightening, but often struggled to find the words to describe his experience.

“You really just had to be there,” he eventually told his room mates in frustration.

Car Barn: the exotic site of Cartwright’s sixty minutes of learning about studying abroad (AP).

Cartwright found that he simply fell in love with French culture and the way of living while attending the information session. “The way they live their lives over there is just so simple and so perfect: the cafes, the baguettes,” said Cartwright as his mind danced from stock image to stock image which had been used during the presentation.

“Did I miss campus while I was at the information session in Carbarn? Absolutely, but studying abroad information sessions are really a unique opportunity I would have been a fool to pass up,” Cartwright explained.

For Cartwright and his family, cost was never really an issue.

“There was a lot of talk about converting to Euros and keeping spare cash on hand overseas, but honestly the studying abroad info session was a lot cheaper than I expected,” said Cartwright, whose sole purchase during the hour was a Diet Coke at the vending machine on the second floor of the ICC.

“This kind of change in mentality happens a lot for students who attend study abroad information session,” said Office of International Programs Coordinator Nancy Mitchell. “It’s quite common for students horizons to be expanded dramatically when we discuss with the student panel what it’s like the live in a foreign country.”

Cartwright felt it was necessary for all students to share the experience he had.

“Everyone should go to study abroad information sessions.”

Going forward, Cartwright said he felt an inseparable bond with those who had gone to the abroad information session with him.

“I started a Lyon 2014 Info Session group of Facebook just so we could all stay in touch once we got back to campus. I’m trying to organize a dinner as well where we can relax, swap, stories and relieve our glory hour,” said Cartwright.

“Yeah Julian has been kind of a dick since he got back from that session,” said suitemate Mack O’Hara (MSB ’17) “This happens every time he goes to a new study abroad information session.”