Clermont-Ferrand, France

Why I chose to go to France: Living in France for an extended period of time has been my dream since the day I began studying French six years ago. Since that time, I have frequently insisted on speaking French at home (despite the fact that no one can understand me), and have teased my mother that I am going to live in France “when I grow up.” I have traveled to France for three short visits, and although each trip has given me first-hand encounters with the beautiful country and its rich culture, there is still so much for me to experience and learn. The long-term study abroad experience at l’Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Clermont-Ferrand is an ideal opportunity for me because of the focus on total immersion in the French language and culture. I believe that by establishing relationships with French students, living with a French host family, and taking classes taught entirely in French, I will achieve the fluency in the language and the adaptation to the culture that I have desired for so long.

Another cultural experience I had: The experiences I have had with the Brillet family in Quimper, France have been among the most rewarding of my life. I first stayed with the family for one week during the trip I took with my high school French class, and was then invited to return alone the following summer for a three-week stay. I developed close bonds with the parents and their eight children, and learned a great deal about French culture and life. I have such fond memories of spending long days at the ocean with the family, hanging out in the cafés with Chloé (the daughter my age), and playing games or watching cartoons with the little children. I treasure most the time I spent with the family in the evenings after dinner, as it made me feel like I was truly accepted by the family. After our evening meal, the younger children would help clear the table, kiss each of us on the cheek, and then go upstairs to get ready for bed. The rest of us would then move to the family room. The parents, Chloé, Thomas (who was 14), Caroline (who was 13), and I would sit together watching TV, joking around, and discussing a large variety of subjects. It was at this time that we would get into deep conversations about the differences or similarities between French and American life. It was amazing to spend this time bonding with the family, and I feel that we all learned a great deal about each other through these evenings together. I still keep in close contact with the Brillet family, and plan on visiting them several times while studying abroad. This wonderful experience, developing a relationship with a French family, has prepared me for my future home-stay in Clermont-Ferrand, and has given me skills for communicating with French students or adults I will meet at the University.

What I identified as the greatest challenges facing me as I began my study abroad program: I am very close to my family, and I will miss the time spent at home – relaxing on weekends and during Christmas break with my parents, brother, sister, and puppies. I regret that I won’t be here to see my little sister’s first marching band performance, see her perform in Oklahoma, or hear in person about my brother’s new position teaching high school English. I have also been blessed with wonderful friends, and I still can not think about leaving Jon, Megan, or Katie without getting tears in my eyes. I am lucky to have such amazing people in my life, and it will definitely be a challenge for me as I cope with leaving them, and then missing them when I am in France. Since I know that I made the right decision to study abroad in France, I am now trying to focus on the positive aspects of my program, knowing that I can face the negative ones when the time comes. I am thankful that two of my friends are also going to be in Clermont-Ferrand; it will be great to have them there when I am struggling with missing home. I also plan to remain in close contact with family and friends, and I am hoping that both my mother and my aunt will be able to visit me in France. These thoughts all help me deal with my anxiety. I do not doubt my ability to succeed in France, but I know that missing my loved ones will indeed be a challenge.

Through the readings in Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communication Across Cultures and through class discussions, I have learned to anticipate that my language skills will be a challenge for me at first. I have studied French for six years and have had a great deal of practice speaking the language, but I am not yet at the level of fluency I desire. So much goes into achieving competence in intercultural communication, and this will be frustrating when I am trying to express my ideas and feelings to my French classmates or host family. I dislike making mistakes while speaking, so it will be a challenge for me to try to speak when I know that I might be mispronouncing things or organizing the language imperfectly. However difficult it may be, I am willing to accept this challenge because I understand that I will only achieve the fluency in French I desire through consistent practice.

How being abroad might be easier than living in the U.S.: I do believe that, in some ways, life will be easier for me while living in France than it is in Kalamazoo. I have enjoyed the science classes that I have taken, and am excited about continuing my studies in biochemistry to pursue a career in the field of medical research The courses in my major are very challenging and time-consuming, but I am willing to spend the majority of my time studying and gaining this necessary experience because my career goals are very important to me. I am, however, looking forward to taking classes outside of this focus at l’Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Clermont-Ferrand. I will be able to explore other interests in France, and really focus on my study of the French language. I will also be living in an exciting new culture where I can learn through experience, not just through textbooks. I'm looking forward to the richness that comes from learning through personal experience.

See contact page to arrange a speaking engagement.

Read excerpts from my letters home.