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November 15, 2002
Mount
Holyoke Juniors Enjoy Year in Montpellier, France
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MHC
students on a visit to the Château de Fontainebleau
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While
most MHC students spent this year's Mountain Day hiking to
the summit of the nearby mountain after which the College was
named and having ice cream with President Creighton, nine lucky
juniors celebrated the day by touring the home and vineyards of
Château de Flaugergues in Montpellier, France, guided by
homeowner Count Henri de Colbert himself. The students are this
year's participants in Mount Holyoke's Junior Year in
Montpellier, France, a yearlong program of study in southern France.
After a three-day
stay in Paris accompanied by on-site director Amy Loth '94, the
MHC students arrived on September 1 in Montpellier, a bustling
university city located ten miles from the Mediterranean coast.
For one month, they participated in Préstage, a
program of intensive language and culture lessons, as well as
cultural activities and weekend excursions organized by a group
of dynamic French student advisers. In early October, they settled
into furnished apartments in historic downtown Montpellier to
begin courses alongside French students at the Université
Paul Valéry.
Fully integrated into
French student life but also living independently, the MHC students
are honing their language skills, entertaining friends during
their free time, and practicing the culinary talents acquired
at the home of Marie-France Mousseron, the MHC French cooking
instructor in Montpellier. They are also enjoying program-sponsored
activities, such as weekly Cinema Club gatherings to watch French
films at the MHC office in Montpellier.
"I had no idea
how different two Western cultures could be," said Elana
Bertram '04. "I'm learning a lot, making new friends, and
having fun." Andrea Silen '04 feels the same way. "I
am happy in Montpellier," said Silen. "The city is beautiful
and dynamic. I'm learning about the French people, the French
language, and of course French food."
Sophomores interested
in participating in the 2003–2004 MHC junior year in Montpellier
should contact Chris Rivers, associate professor of French, at
crivers@mtholyoke.edu
or Amy Loth at amyloth@yahoo.com.
Applications are due by December 6 to Joanne Picard, dean of international
affairs. The Office of International Affairs is located on the
third floor of Mary Lyon Hall.
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