Discovering Caen and Normandy
I had the incredible opportunity to take a trip to Caen, France - located in Normandy - in 2012 with a group of students from UC. The goal of this trip was not a sight-seeing tour, but rather a language study course in order to improve our spoken French, regardless of entry level. I was placed in level 2, which meant that I knew the basics of grammar and reading, but my speaking level was further behind. I was easily able to complete writing assignments, but I had to push myself in order to speak completely in French, both with my classmates and my professor.
I attended classes in the morning, then after a long lunch break, I returned to classes. Each evening, the program had social events in order to allow us to experience the city, as well as to practice our French as a group. My professors were beyond helpful and encouraging. Even when I was struggling to complete a speaking assignment, my professor encouraged me and prompted me along until I was confident to speak on my own and carry on full conversations, even with the average townsperson in Caen.
I took the time to complete a journal while I was in France. I wrote in it every day. At first, I wrote mostly in English, but as the experience continued, I wrote more fully in French. If you would like to view it, I have attached it at the bottom of this page.
In addition, I shared my experience with a French class from my high school, Unioto High School. My French teacher was one of my greatest mentors in high school and she was one of the main people that encouraged me to give this program a try. Therefore, I found her classroom to be the most welcoming and supportive environment in which to present my experiences in France. I went in during a day in December and presented a 45-minute presentation on what I saw, learned, and spoke, completely in French! It proved to me that I did learn a lot while spending three weeks in France, even though it seemed to me like everything hadn't changed much. I encouraged the students at Unioto to search for opportunities to travel abroad while in college, both for the experience of a lifetime, and to practice skills that they may not be pursuing in their major. If you would like to view my PowerPoint, it consists of trip pictures for which I narrated my experience and is attached below. I thank Unioto High School and Mrs. Debbie McCorkle for allowing me to share my experience with the French IV class.
In addition to this outreach, I also wrote a letter to Dr. Jezequel about my experience, which is located at the bottom of this article. I completed my reflection one last time in an article for the UC Bearcat Bands publication, the BBC, about my trip that was published for all the band members, band parents, and alumni to enjoy. It is also located below, in its original format.
Many people wonder why a Music Education major would take three weeks out of my summer and travel to Normandy. I find that college is the perfect time to travel and experience things you have only previously dreamed of. I have wanted to go to France since French I in eighth grade at Unioto Junior High. My French teacher was inspiring and fun and instilled confidence in me to use the French language. When the opportunity arose with Dr. Jezequel and the University Honors Program, I couldn't say yes fast enough. I am very grateful to have received aid both from the Honors Program and from UC International. With this financial assistance, as well as preparation from my high school French teacher and friends, I was on my way to an honors experience that had only seemed like a dream before that summer. I believe I learned a great deal about myself and my future goals from this experience. I had a chance to decompress after my first year at CCM and experience a completely different world from Ohio. I will never forget the people, sights, and atmosphere of Normandy because this was an experience of a lifetime!
I attended classes in the morning, then after a long lunch break, I returned to classes. Each evening, the program had social events in order to allow us to experience the city, as well as to practice our French as a group. My professors were beyond helpful and encouraging. Even when I was struggling to complete a speaking assignment, my professor encouraged me and prompted me along until I was confident to speak on my own and carry on full conversations, even with the average townsperson in Caen.
I took the time to complete a journal while I was in France. I wrote in it every day. At first, I wrote mostly in English, but as the experience continued, I wrote more fully in French. If you would like to view it, I have attached it at the bottom of this page.
In addition, I shared my experience with a French class from my high school, Unioto High School. My French teacher was one of my greatest mentors in high school and she was one of the main people that encouraged me to give this program a try. Therefore, I found her classroom to be the most welcoming and supportive environment in which to present my experiences in France. I went in during a day in December and presented a 45-minute presentation on what I saw, learned, and spoke, completely in French! It proved to me that I did learn a lot while spending three weeks in France, even though it seemed to me like everything hadn't changed much. I encouraged the students at Unioto to search for opportunities to travel abroad while in college, both for the experience of a lifetime, and to practice skills that they may not be pursuing in their major. If you would like to view my PowerPoint, it consists of trip pictures for which I narrated my experience and is attached below. I thank Unioto High School and Mrs. Debbie McCorkle for allowing me to share my experience with the French IV class.
In addition to this outreach, I also wrote a letter to Dr. Jezequel about my experience, which is located at the bottom of this article. I completed my reflection one last time in an article for the UC Bearcat Bands publication, the BBC, about my trip that was published for all the band members, band parents, and alumni to enjoy. It is also located below, in its original format.
Many people wonder why a Music Education major would take three weeks out of my summer and travel to Normandy. I find that college is the perfect time to travel and experience things you have only previously dreamed of. I have wanted to go to France since French I in eighth grade at Unioto Junior High. My French teacher was inspiring and fun and instilled confidence in me to use the French language. When the opportunity arose with Dr. Jezequel and the University Honors Program, I couldn't say yes fast enough. I am very grateful to have received aid both from the Honors Program and from UC International. With this financial assistance, as well as preparation from my high school French teacher and friends, I was on my way to an honors experience that had only seemed like a dream before that summer. I believe I learned a great deal about myself and my future goals from this experience. I had a chance to decompress after my first year at CCM and experience a completely different world from Ohio. I will never forget the people, sights, and atmosphere of Normandy because this was an experience of a lifetime!
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