Sam's Story

'I had never been to France, and it was only recently that I had left home for university. The only person I knew was a fellow exchange student. We were both Christians, and providence led us to St. Michael's, Paris.

Neither of us were Anglican, but we both liked the idea of trying something in English, so gave it a chance. We showed up one Sunday morning, hoping for the best. We were surprised to meet not just English people but other Americans as well as people from all over the world. It seemed to me to be a picture of the heavenly community. It was such a joy to realise that we were part of the same body.

They were not so much concerned about getting me to come to various activities as about my life; where I was coming from and where I was going. St. Michael's was essential to my semester in Paris. It provided encouragement, learning and friendship during a chaotic few months. It was a time of growth, when I was shown Christianity in a new way.'

Sam, from the USA, studied comparative literature in Paris in 2002.

Source: ICS News, December 2003 p.4