Liberal Arts students study abroad for immersive two months in France

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Several Penn State College of the Liberal Arts students embarked on a journey to Western Europe this summer thanks to the “Intensive French Language and Cultural Immersion” study abroad program in Besançon, France. The two-month program allowed students to take classes at a language school affiliated with the Université de Franche-Comté, live with a host family, use their French language skills and learn more about “la culture bisontine” (Bisontin culture).

The program — led by Heather McCoy, teaching professor of French and Francophone Studies – also gave students the opportunity to participate in the University of Franche-Comté’s Centre de Linguistique Appliquée intensive French program. Courses on contemporary French (and broader European) culture were all taught in French, thereby strengthening the students’ oral language proficiency.

Once they completed the Besançon program, students were able to sit for the Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) Exam, an internationally recognized French language diploma credential that can be used to meet the language requirement for admission for most French universities.

“Having the DELF exam to prepare for not only gave students an important goal to strive towards but also offered a cultural experience that allowed them to participate in a very French type of exam quite different from the ones we give at Penn State,” McCoy said. “Students who pass (the exam) obtain a diploma and a lifelong credential that they can put on their CVs (curricula vitae) — and if they pass the B2 level, use for entrance to French universities.”

Tobias Cruz, a third-year student majoring in French and Francophone Studies and vertebrate biology with a minor in neuroscience, said he came into the program thinking that his “conversational skills in French weren’t good enough” to become friends with his fellow students. The interpersonal skills bolstered through the immersive experience proved otherwise, however.

“The inability to fall back on English when I needed to helped push my confidence and skills through the roof,” Cruz said. “I feel I spoke much more willingly in class settings and found myself constantly wanting to use my French. I ended up becoming great friends with locals — so much so that I got to celebrate ‘Le 14 Juillet’ (Bastille Day) with my new friend group!”

Wanting to make the most of his European stay, Cruz spent some of his free time visiting neighboring cities Strasbourg, Dijon, and Marseille in France, Fribourg, Germany; and Lausanne, Switzerland. Cruz said Dijon was his favorite thanks to a visit to the Jardin de l'Arquebuse, where historical French statues were scattered among a seemingly perfectly coiffed arboretum of trees and flowers.

Cruz lived with a host family who introduced him to local restaurants and attractions in the region. Even the smallest interactions — such as having bread and jam with an orange for breakfast with his host-sister — helped Cruz “learn lessons and feel self-growth” about French lifestyle and culture, he said. He added that he hopes to apply what he learned from the experience to further his post-graduate dreams of becoming a doctor in a Francophone country.

Kenneth Sunnergren, a second-year student majoring in political science and French, felt that his time spent abroad has given him an advantage over other Penn State students studying French.

“Whereas classes at Penn State [College of the Liberal Arts] are focused on writing and reading, courses at the University of Franche-Comté focus almost exclusively on developing listening and speaking skills,” Sunnergren said. “I’m now much more comfortable conversing in French inside and outside the classroom.”

Sunnergren also noted that his conversations with his host family sparked even more niche language exchanges that made the study abroad experience even more rewarding.

“Becoming proficient in French was the main objective for my time in France, and speaking with my host family was the best way I learned vocabulary,” Sunnergren said, “We spent a lot of time fly fishing in the Doubs River, and there I got to learn practical and relevant French fishing vocabulary.”

Cruz and Sunnergren both thanked the College of the Liberal Arts for helping to make the opportunity to live and study in France. Cruz in particular mentioned the Chaiken Center for Student Success for offering him a Chaiken Student Success Award, which in combination with his other scholarships provided financial support and guidance that helped make the trip possible.

“Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, but time and time again money limited my chances of seeing the world,” Cruz said. “Thanks to a generous scholarship from the Chaiken Center and application guidance from Professor McCoy, I was able to have some of my travel expenses — including airfare, train tickets, and meals — paid for.”

Students interested in the Besançon, France, program or other study-abroad scholarships can learn more about the application process and requirements through the College of the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, a resource for Liberal Arts students seeking career-related, international or professional development activities.

This story is one in a series of 10 about College of the Liberal Arts faculty-led course trips that took place this summer. Summer 2024 programs will be posted before the end of the fall 2023 semester. Read additional stories and learn more.