The MHC juniors in this photo are studying in Montpellier, France, this year on the first study-abroad program run by Mount Holyoke in Europe. Front row (Left to right) Stephanie Ferguson, Kira Huberfeld, Andrea Costella, Katherine Axt, Monika Zaorska, Alicia Belair. Back row (Left to right) Alyssa Danigelis, Emily Sheren, Asha Richards, Anna De Vries, and Hillary Rice.
French and sociology major Amy Gosselin Loth '94 spent her junior year at the Universite Paul Valery in Montpellier, France, and returned to live in Montpellier after graduating from Mount Holyoke. So enthusiastic was she about her experiences at the university and about the city and its lifestyle, that in 1997 she contacted Dean of International Affairs Chris Rivers (her former French professor) about establishing an MHC study-abroad program in Montpellier. Two years of hard work later, the Mount Holyoke College Junior Year in Montpellier, France Program is now under way with Loth as its on-site director. The report from the eleven MHC students who are in Montpellier during this, the inaugural year of the program, is that everything is tres magnifique.
Montpellier, the capital of the beautiful and historic Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, is located just ten miles from the Mediterranean coast. The city offers an array of cultural activities, terrace cafes, and outdoor markets and is also one of France's oldest and most important university cities--with six major universities. MHC's program is designed to integrate students into both the cultural and university offerings of Montpellier. Students participate in a September intensive language program called the Prestage. The session brings the French language skills that they have already acquired up to a level that will enable them to participate confidently in lecture classes and seminars at the Universite Paul Valery. Upon completion of the Prestage, students begin the process of selecting courses at the university. At the beginning of October, they enroll in regular, full-year courses taught in French at the university.
For this program's pioneering students, it seems that things could not be any better. "Montpellier has been an adventure! From the day we got here it has been a lot of fun, a lot of work, and a lot of excellent food," says Alyssa Danigelis '01. Katherine Axt '01 is equally ebullient. "Montpellier is the best of both worlds--city life with small town values. I'm having a fabulous time and can't think of any place I'd rather be than in Montpellier!" Hillary Rice '01 says, "Come! You simply have to! Montpellier is full of students from all over the world. It is buzzing with activity and it's warm, too. I've already met some very interesting people and have had fun adventures. The Prestage is a wonderful way to improve your French in a month and get to know some of the professors. People in the south of France are friendly and love their food."
For more information about the program, contact Christopher Rivers at x2072. Amy Gosselin Loth, will be on campus November 3 - 5 to meet with students and to present the program.
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