Aidan Kindopp ’24 spent the last year studying abroad as a Chemical Engineering (Pharmaceutical Track) and French IEP Major in France. The IEP curriculum provides a high level of preparation so that students feel confident living in another culture and speaking a second language daily. Aiden will be pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall. 

Which language are you studying at the college of arts and sciences and why did you choose it?

I studied French because the language is so beautiful and I love French culture. Additionally, I am Canadian, and my mother speaks French, so I wanted to connect with that part of my heritage. 

Where did you study abroad for the year?

I studied abroad in France. I spent the first 6 months in Compiège (45 minutes outside of Paris) and the second 6 months in Toulouse. 

What program/school did you participate in?

Studying abroad through the International Engineering Program, my partner institution was the Université de technologie de Compiègne (UTC). 

What is your favorite memory from your year abroad?

My favorite memory of studying abroad was increasing my proficiency in my language each and every day, learning new expressions and further integrating myself with my French peers. 

What is a challenge you overcame while abroad?

One challenge I overcame was my fear of making mistakes. I have always been somewhat of a perfectionist, but when you’re speaking in your non-native language, you are going to make mistakes – in fact, mistakes are how we learn, so I embraced this and pushed myself to express myself in French as authentically as possible. 

What would you tell a student considering this opportunity?

I would tell a student considering studying abroad that I almost did not take advantage of this opportunity as a part of me questioned if I really wanted to “put my life on hold” for a year. Looking back, it is not putting your life on hold, it is living it. I have absolutely zero regrets having studied abroad, but I know I would have had regrets had I not. I think everyone who has the opportunity to spend time outside of the United States should as it will introduce you to new perspectives on the world, and you will learn a lot about yourself, too. 

How will this experience inform the rest of your time at URI?

As I did my study abroad in my 5th year, I will not be returning to URI, but rather starting graduate school in the fall.

Interested in the International Engineering Program?

Spend your senior year abroad immersed in engineering, language, and culture. As part of the IEP, you do not just learn global engineering–you live it.

Plan your year abroad