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The Salem State Log - Sep. 14, 2005 - Volume 81, Issue 1 Salem State's French EngagementBy Ian Fullerton
This past July, eight Salem State students, including myself, took the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the French-speaking culture of Quebec City. Along with sight-seeing and indulging in French-Canadian customs, we also had the occasion to study at the University of Laval, one of Canadian's finest academic institutions for language studies. It was, to say the least, a memorable experience. Studying at Laval was no waste of a summer vacation. The program is designed so that students are exposed to the French language both academically and culturally. Classes are run five days a week, for five weeks, with classes for four hours in the morning and then activities in the afternoon. With around 900 students enrolled in the program, each classroom consists of between 15 and 30 students. When not in class, students are encouraged to participate in the various happening about the city. Each weekend, the directors of the program organized several events for the students to participate in, including rafting, hiking, and excursion through out the city. This incorporation of learning and recreation is ideal, because it allows one to learn a foreign language through the necessity of, say, ordering a meal. Quebec City is certainly a welcome place for a visiting student. The central part of Quebec City, known as `Old Quebec,' is a visual spectacle. The juxtaposition of French, English, North-American, modern and secular construction in the same urban setting lends to the city a unique architectural character. This is also to be said of the cultural experiences to be had in Quebec City. While there, we had the good fortune to attend the Festival d'Ete, a two week musical event featuring acts from Canada, the U.S., and abroad. I was fortunate enough to see ZZ Top, an event that will surely stand out as a personal milestone in my life. This is the second year that students from Salem State have attended the French program at Laval. Elizabeth Blood, Assistant Professor of the French and Italian Language Department at Salem State, has organized the trip to Quebec two years running, and intends to continue the affiliation between Salem State and Laval in the future. "The reason I chose the Universite Laval," says Blood, "is that it is one of the top research universities in Quebec and has an outstanding reputation for language teaching." Along with organizing the trip, she also accompanies the students to Quebec for the first week to help them settle into their rooms and their placement tests. I encourage any student considering the prospect of studying abroad. The experience will not be regretted, as it is a perfect opportunity to see the world from a new perspective. The program at Laval is a chance for students to enter into a French-speaking society without crossing the ocean. Although only an eight hour drive, Quebec City is a world away from Salem. Ian Fullerton 's email is features@ssclog.com.
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