University of Wisconsin–Madison

France: Zin Kyaw (Final Reflections)

Final Reflections

As I glance at the calendar, I’m shocked to see that my semester in Lyon is almost over. It feels like I just got here, yet I’m already packing up to head back. Looking back, it’s hard to put into words just how much this experience has meant to me. I came here to study, explore French cuisine, and maybe pick up some new skills, but it ended up being so much more than that. Lyon has this charm that pulls you in, and before I knew it, I felt like a local, shopping at the markets and speaking French wherever I went.

A large white house sits in a valley between several tree-covered mountains covered in low hanging clouds, with a bright blue lake in front of the house.
My favorite memory in France was an excursion to Annecy.

I spent countless days wandering the streets, trying local spots, and appreciating how much people here genuinely care about food. The focus on quality, tradition, and seasonality reminded me why I got into this field in the first place. Between classes at CEFAM (the name of my school) and excursions around different regions of France, I got to learn a lot about new cultures, not just through food but by being right there in the heart of these places. It was a perfect balance of studying and real-world experiences that taught me more than any classroom back home could.

Lyon’s food scene, the people I met, and the experiences I had here gave me a much clearer view of what I want to do with my life when I return to Madison. It’s more than just a career path now; it feels like a calling. I know I’ll miss the little things like grabbing a fresh baguette from the bakery below where I lived or stumbling upon a new dessert shop on a side street.

Leaving Lyon won’t be easy, but I’m taking a lot with me—good memories, new skills, lifelong friends, and a better sense of direction. This city will always have a place in my heart, and I’m excited to bring a little of what I’ve learned here back home. I hope that one day, I can come back, walk these streets again, and reconnect with the person I was when I lived here.

Zin wears a white shirt and yellow jacket, sitting in front of a patch of yellow flowers.

Zin Kyaw

Major: Human Resources & Management

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

Program: Centre d’Etudes Franco-Americain de Management (CEFAM) in France