Hillsdale to France
Student studies art, karate, French, while traveling in Tours
Mark Hensch
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: News
During any given class, junior Carly Gosine could be learning karate or rock climbing, cooking French cuisine, visiting art museums, or sampling fine wines. This myriad of activities is normal for the French and art major's stay at the Institut de Touraine in Tours, France.
"When I became a French major at Hillsdale last year I decided the best way to learn the language and culture would be to live in France," Gosine told The Collegian from France.
"Being at a place like the Institut de Touraine I can really learn the language as few people here speak English."
Gosine said Hillsdale College arranged her study in Tours as part of its study abroad program. She arrived on Jan. 3, and expects to leave in mid-July. In June, her younger sister, Savannah, will fly in so the two can take a cross-continent road trip. Gosine said the trip will likely include visits to Paris, London, Poland and Russia. For now, Gosine said, her stay in Tours has been busy.
"The Institut offers a wide variety of courses, and so far it has been challenging but not too difficult," she said. "Outside of class, I figure I am here and everything is so close and inexpensive that I should see as much as I can."
She said one memorable experience was her trip to Mount St. Michel, a rock formation which floods each night with surrounding tidal waters. Beyond this, Gosine said her host family has been truly accommodating and her classmates helpful. Best of all, she said, her learning experiences have expanded and blended her knowledge.
"This is really helping me connect both of my majors," she said. "For example, my art history class is entirely in French. It definitely combines both of my loves."
Back in America, many of Gosine's friends miss her. Senior Maggie O'Connor said she roomed with Gosine their freshman and sophomore years and have been close friends ever since. The two now keep in touch through e-mail, postcards, and a photo blog they mutually run when time allows.
"The blog is helpful as I miss Carly a lot," O'Connor said. "The tidbits she writes are very interesting, as there are so many differences between the two cultures."
Gosine's former French professor, Professor of French Marie-Claire Morellec, said she believes a trip like this is extremely valuable to French students. Much like O'Connor, she said, she has kept in touch with Gosine and often enjoys hearing about her student's adventures in France.
"Carly is a wonderful young woman," she said. "She is making the very best of her stay in France by learning a lot and enjoying it."
"When I became a French major at Hillsdale last year I decided the best way to learn the language and culture would be to live in France," Gosine told The Collegian from France.
"Being at a place like the Institut de Touraine I can really learn the language as few people here speak English."
Gosine said Hillsdale College arranged her study in Tours as part of its study abroad program. She arrived on Jan. 3, and expects to leave in mid-July. In June, her younger sister, Savannah, will fly in so the two can take a cross-continent road trip. Gosine said the trip will likely include visits to Paris, London, Poland and Russia. For now, Gosine said, her stay in Tours has been busy.
"The Institut offers a wide variety of courses, and so far it has been challenging but not too difficult," she said. "Outside of class, I figure I am here and everything is so close and inexpensive that I should see as much as I can."
She said one memorable experience was her trip to Mount St. Michel, a rock formation which floods each night with surrounding tidal waters. Beyond this, Gosine said her host family has been truly accommodating and her classmates helpful. Best of all, she said, her learning experiences have expanded and blended her knowledge.
"This is really helping me connect both of my majors," she said. "For example, my art history class is entirely in French. It definitely combines both of my loves."
Back in America, many of Gosine's friends miss her. Senior Maggie O'Connor said she roomed with Gosine their freshman and sophomore years and have been close friends ever since. The two now keep in touch through e-mail, postcards, and a photo blog they mutually run when time allows.
"The blog is helpful as I miss Carly a lot," O'Connor said. "The tidbits she writes are very interesting, as there are so many differences between the two cultures."
Gosine's former French professor, Professor of French Marie-Claire Morellec, said she believes a trip like this is extremely valuable to French students. Much like O'Connor, she said, she has kept in touch with Gosine and often enjoys hearing about her student's adventures in France.
"Carly is a wonderful young woman," she said. "She is making the very best of her stay in France by learning a lot and enjoying it."
Be the first to comment on this story