Savoring a macaroon in Paris, scaling the Great Wall of China and drifting in a gondola in the heart of Venice seem like distant and unattainable experiences to college students working for textbook money at the corner taco shop.
No more.
Southwestern College is part of a growing vanguard of high education institutions encouraging their students to study abroad. Too many, however, are hesitant to take the opportunity.
Study abroad programs encourage a worldview and expand our awareness. Traveling American students gain first-hand experience of other cultures. We get the chance to peek into the daily lives of different peoples in a meaningful way.
This summer I joined 14 other Southwestern students for a month in Paris.
Offered in partnership with the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), the program started on the SWC campus three weeks prior to our departure. Students enrolled in French 101, 102 and 295 were given a crash course to help us prepare for the culture shock that awaited us.
From June 27 to July 25 we were in the grips of Paris, mesmerized by the dazzling colors of the Eiffel Tower and chilled by the brisk, emerald waters of the River Seine.
Language barriers were the most difficult obstacles to overcome, but thanks to our three weeks of intensive French, navigating through the narrow rues was, while not painless, at least easier.
While it may be less expensive to learn a language through an audio CD, there is nothing like actually speaking it while immersed in its homeland.
French came in handy when I suddenly fell ill. While many Parisians speak English, it seemed that everyone we ran into only spoke French.
With the aid of one of my roommates, Brendan Lee, I managed to find my way to the Hôpital Américain de Paris. The only English words the taxi driver knew were “hello,” “goodbye” and “see ya later.” In the end it was not a phrase book that saved my life, but the French I had learned the previous week. We explained to the driver that I was sick and needed help. He happily obliged, complimenting us on our broken yet understandable French.
Traveling American students also gain first-hand experience of other cultures. Fellow traveler Lorna Meda agreed.
“These programs are essential because anyone can just be a tourist and see the sights, but in a study abroad you become a member of that country,” she said.
It was a chance to walk a mile (or a kilometer) in their shoes.
During our trip we lived with a home-stay family. My stay-home host Madame Soudan, a middle-aged retire, liked to stay out of our business. She was a pleasant converser and provided my roommates and I with breakfast every day before school.
SWC student Angelina Gallego said her visit caused her to rethink her concept of Parisians.
“I always thought of French people as rude,” she said, “but after a month of living with my home stay, I learned that this just isn’t true.”
These programs also challenge unsubstantiated perceptions of the world. Different cultures have divergent views on religion, economics and values. Even a polite American custom could be considered offensive elsewhere.
For example, here in America we like to believe that we are special, and thus we have created an imaginary construct called “personal space.” Folks who invade that space are intruding on our privacy and may be considered pushy. In France there is no such thing as “personal space” and I had to quickly get over the fact that a strange man is talking about football three inches from my nose.
New experiences forces students to re-examine their beliefs and world view. This builds greater tolerance and cultural literacy as we come face to face with their own cultural biases.
Money, unfortunately, can be a barrier. Our excursion cost $4,390 for airfare, housing with a homestay family, transportation and insurance, not including food, textbooks and classes. Financial and scholarships are available. Students who plan ahead and save can do it.
Coordinated by SWC Professor Dr. Carla Kirkwood and Doug Chamberlain and Sally Cascoigne of AIFS, the program was very well put together. Aside from studying and attending classes, there were several guided tours that provided an in-depth look at Paris. From walking in the steps of Hemmingway and Orwell through the Quartier Latin to hobnobbing it with le bourgeoisie at Marie Antoinette’s former abode, The Palace of Versailles to having a scenic boat ride on the River Seine at noon, we were given a crash course on Paris culture that may have otherwise slipped us by.
Study abroad opportunities are worth the cost. Memories and experiences gained from living in a different culture is an investment in yourself. Pack your bags, you are worth it.