Abraham Franco-Hernandez NPA ‘15, Saints ‘19, Notre Dame ‘23

Abe Franco- Hernandez is currently in his junior year at the University of Notre Dame where he is majoring in Psychology and Economics. This Spring he is studying in London, England in Notre Dame’s Global Gateway program. Since he started the program, he has also visited Spain, Italy, France, and Monaco. Abe recognizes that one of the greatest values of studying abroad is being forced outside of his comfort zone, “being abroad has given me the opportunity to explore other countries and cultures, which has led me to consider whether the things I’ve grown accustomed to are truly valuable. I have tried to assimilate to every new culture I have encountered, whether it be by learning a few phrases in another language or doing “what the locals do”. He misses his grandmother’s cooking the most!

Abe offered the following advice to Nativity Prep students who would like to study abroad in college, “Take your studies seriously. Notre Dame, and many other colleges, do not guarantee anyone a place abroad. There is a strenuous application process to be admitted into a program, and the first thing they consider is GPA. Beyond that, I recommend doing thorough research. I did not consider the cost of living when making my decision on where to study, and ended up choosing one of the most expensive places in Europe!”.

Overall, as Abe pursues a future career in business, he recognizes that adapting to a new culture has promoted his growth in “confidence, assertiveness, a plethora of soft skills, and emotional intelligence”, all of which will serve his career pursuits. Abe shared, “My study abroad experience is something I will cherish forever. As Mark Twain once said: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”