
Darden Shuman '27
by Darden Shuman, ’27
Over the summer, the Department of French and Italian sent scores of Princetonians overseas for our annual study abroad programs in Pisa and Aix-en-Provence. Students spent weeks immersed in the local language, culture, cities, and cuisine. Here, one of those students, prospective major and program alumna Darden Shuman '27, reflects on her experience, what she learned—and why you should, too!
I always knew that I wanted French to be a part of my college education, but for a while I thought that I was going to minor in it, mainly because I had not heard of many French majors at Princeton. However, I began to change my mind in the spring when I realized that my favorite classes thus far have all been in the French department—my professors have all been incredible, and they genuinely cared about my progress and improvement. After reflecting on my time in France this summer, I feel even more confident in my choice for my intended major!
To be completely honest, I enrolled in this program at the very last minute. I was the student that emailed my French professor begging for a letter of recommendation and assessment 24 hours before the deadline! Many of my peers were already applying for summer programs, and so I suppose that part of my decision to enroll came from pressure. However, I knew that this program was it for me- I did not apply to anything else. I didn't want to have summer plans/internships solely for the purpose of putting them on a resume. Many times, the summer before your sophomore year is thought of as "your last real summer," where you have the freedom to relax and get a summer job before worrying about what comes next. So, I was not willing to give this last summer up for anything that I was not genuinely invested in. When I was accepted, I enrolled that very day because I was certain that this would be a once in a lifetime experience with memories and life-lessons that I would carry with me for many years to come.
When I first arrived in Aix, I was exhausted and overwhelmed. I really had no idea what to expect, and the first thing that struck me about the program itself was how conducive it was to fostering genuine connections with classmates and professors. I felt as though I really got to know the people around me because of the program schedule; we had traditional classes in a classroom, as well as weekend excursions, day trips, and dinners. We spent time together in a variety of settings, which allowed us to form our own little family. Our fearless leaders, Professor Murrielle Perrier and lecturer Vincent Chanethom, were patient, kind, funny, understanding, and enthusiastic. It was evident from the very beginning that they wanted the students to not only improve their understanding of the French language, but to also indulge in and explore French culture. Their love of teaching and France was contagious, and soon, we were all singing French disco songs as a class on the bus.
I believe that when you experience "a first" with someone, you are instantly bonded for life. Over the month of June, our class had so many "firsts" together (trying lavender cheese, acting in French, going to a vineyard, swimming in the Mediterranean sea, going out in France, etc) that we are all bonded for life, and this made each day and new experience more meaningful and fun. I think that the moment that was most meaningful to me was our class dinner on the last night of our program. I distinctly remember being handed a giant salt shaker and being told that I had to make a toast. Salt shaker in hand, I thanked the professors and my classmates and talked about some of my favorite memories over the past month. Then, each student followed suit, big salt shaker in hand, and gave a toast. After 25 toasts, I was teary-eyed because I did not want this night and this experience as a whole to end. I was observing what my classmates and I had accomplished over the span of a month: we had built a loving and supportive family in a completely new and unfamiliar place (AND IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE!!!!) In this moment, I was able to witness the very essence of the Aix-en-Provence Program, and I know that I will carry it with me everywhere I go.
To a student considering this program, please go. You will not regret it. You will make lifelong friends and memories. You will learn more in a month than you ever have before, and it will not just be the French language. You will learn how to handle uncomfortable silences because of language barriers, you will learn the importance of body language and non-verbal cues, and you will learn how to find yourself and your purpose in an entirely new and uncharted place. You will be received by your host families with love and curiosity, and you will leave with a new understanding of resilience and culture.
Students interested in studying French abroad can find more information on our Aix-en-Provence resource page.