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- Rachel L. •
- Study Abroad in Montpellier Program •
- French and English Majors
“I
definitely feel more comfortable with the idea of going to
another country and working there.”
—Rachel L. |
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Rachel is a French and English major. She chose the Study Abroad in Montpellier program because it seemed well-established and reliable. While there, she was able to take coursework that counted towards both of her majors.
Rachel found that her courses in France were based on lecture, with little discussion. Her grades were based on less assignments than those she had taken at the University of Minnesota. However, she did not find the coursework to be more difficult in France. In addition to French and English coursework, Rachel took a course in the Hebrew language.
For Rachel, the experience in France has changed her vision of her career path. Although she does not see herself working in France in the future, she is interested in working as a journalist in a foreign country. "I definitely feel more comfortable with the idea of going to another country and working there," she said.
When she began to adjust to life in France, Rachel found that the culture was multi-faceted, and her experiences in integrating were sometimes difficult. "It's harder than I thought it would be to feel like a French person," she said. Yet, she did find ways to learn about and feel comfortable in the culture. Her interactions with French university students were helpful. Her host family also helped, by taking her on field trips around town to help her understand day-to-day activities.
Rachel's ability to communicate in French greatly improved during her time in Montpellier. "By the end, I could see a real difference," she said. "I could watch French TV and understand. Living with a host family helped a lot, because I was forced to speak it." Immersion in the language was especially helpful for her listening comprehension skills and her vocabulary.
Last modified on November 21, 2008 |