In recent years, Muhlenberg's French students wanting to study abroad have been encouraged to attend the American University Center of Provence (AUCP). This Program, located in Aix-en-Provence, seeks to create a cultural immersion experience for its students. During their séjour en France, each students agrees to only speak French, lives with a family, participates in community service and activities, and develops friendships with Aixoises through a language partnership that pairs French and American students.

Three of us broke AUCP policy before we even arrived in France by traveling together from New York. As we stepped off of the plane in Marseille, however, we literally walked into the open arms of the women who would become our surrogate mothers during the next semester. From that moment on, we ceased to be American students studying in France and instead became members of the Aix community.

By taking advantage of the opportunities offered to us through this program, we were able to shape our own experiences. Although we were required to participate in travail bénévole, a community-sponsored club, and the language partnership, we were able to determine how large a role we wanted these activities to play in our daily lives. For Randi, her meetings with her language partners quickly evolved into friendships that remain a constant in her life today. For Megan, the home stay aspect of the program made all the difference in her experience. Her mère d'accueil became her family and truly created a home for her in France. Kim developed a wide variety of friendships through her involvement with the community choir.

Although the classes taught by French professors using French methodology were challenging, our study abroad experience was not limited to the scholastic. We took advantage of the opportunity to not only learn about the French culture but to live it.

Randi Buonocore '01
Kim Ilardi '01
Megan Long '01